Medical Assistance in Dying Committee on March 24th, 2026

Evidence of meeting #2 for Medical Assistance in Dying in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was case.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Eligibility of Persons Whose Sole Underlying Medical Condition is a Mental Illness

Members speaking

Before the committee

K. Sonu Gaind Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, As an Individual

Mona Gupta Full Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Université de Montréal, As an Individual

Pierre Dalphond Senator, Quebec (De Lorimier), PSG

Yonah Martin Senator, British Columbia, C

Rosemary Moodie Senator, Ontario, ISG

Pamela Wallin Senator, Saskatchewan, CSG

Kristopher Wells Senator, Alberta, PSG

Downie Professor Emeritus, Faculties of Law and Medicine, Dalhousie University, As an Individual

Lemmens Professor and Scholl Chair in Health Law and Policy, Jackman Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, As an Individual

9:40 p.m.

Senator, Saskatchewan, CSG

Pamela Wallin

First, there was a comment by an earlier witness, who intervened on what I think he said was a point of personal privilege to counter testimony that was provided by somebody else. I want to know what our rules are around that.

Then, Chair, there was your own intervention. We have spelled out the time allocation for each member and each party and all of that. You chose to say that with the prerogative of the chair, you would intervene. I'm trying to figure out what the rules are around that, because it impacts everybody's time.

9:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Joint Chair Liberal Marcus Powlowski

Let me answer the second question first, on the chair asking questions.

This is a hybrid committee, so there are different rules. I actually consulted with the clerk, who is the legal expert on this. Yes, the chair has the prerogative to, at times, ask questions. Certainly, if you're in the House of Commons and you've been in certain committees, certain chairs frequently do so. John McKay almost always asks a brief question at the end. I do not believe it is out of order to do so.

March 24th, 2026 / 9:40 p.m.

Senator, Saskatchewan, CSG

Pamela Wallin

Can we get some clarification? This is a joint committee. We negotiated the time allocations of two minutes and three minutes very specifically, so I would like some clarification.

As well, are there any comments on the first question I raised? It may be perfectly within order, but I'm just asking.

9:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Joint Chair Liberal Marcus Powlowski

I forget what the question was.

9:45 p.m.

Senator, Saskatchewan, CSG

Pamela Wallin

It was about one of the witnesses raising a question of personal privilege. I think that was the phrase he used. I'm just wondering what we.... All witnesses will want to countermand what they have heard from others.

9:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Joint Chair Liberal Marcus Powlowski

To my knowledge, there isn't any legal ability within the committee for them to do something like that, but I think it's polite at times, if it's very brief....

As to the chair, again, it is my understanding that it's within the discretion of the chair to ask a brief question like that at times. As chair, I would point out that in these joint committees the chair can pass a motion, and the chair can vote, which is a different thing from our committees.

With that, can I suspend? Then we'll come back and discuss the decision of the subcommittee and also hear the motion from the Conservatives.

Discussing the subcommittee has to be in camera. I'm sorry. Somebody asked about that.

We're suspended.

[Proceedings continue in camera]