I'm not.
Evidence of meeting #4 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 equality.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #4 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 equality.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Psychiatrist, Ontario Association for ACT & FACT
I'd like to clarify. I didn't call anybody a murderer. I said homicides.
Senator, Alberta, PSG
That's not my question.
Right now, 80% of those polled agree with that statement. That's public opinion. That's actually on the record.
In your May 2022 testimony before this committee, you stated, “We have yet to find a case where treatment and recovery were not possible,” yet we've heard from multiple witnesses at this committee that we should treat persons with a mental illness similarly to how we treat persons with a disability. Understanding that, is it your professional opinion that all people with mental illnesses will get better?
Psychiatrist, Ontario Association for ACT & FACT
No. It's my understanding that all people with mental illness can have their suffering reduced—
Psychiatrist, Ontario Association for ACT & FACT
—and can be supported to the point where they're no longer suicidal.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marcus Powlowski
I think you posed a very lengthy question. I would give the witness a brief opportunity to reply to the question.
Senator, Alberta, PSG
It was a yes-or-no question, Chair. Are you going to—
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marcus Powlowski
Dr. Maher, you have 10 seconds or so to answer the question.
Psychiatrist, Ontario Association for ACT & FACT
Thank you. I'll just repeat my answer. Suffering can be reduced, and people can receive treatment that can reduce their suicidal thinking, goals and plan. They can find meaning and purpose with support, and, yes, that's true of 100% of people.
Senator, Alberta, PSG
Thank you.
Dr. Lyon, my question is this: Have you ever personally assessed a person for MAID?
Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath, As an Individual
Senator, Alberta, PSG
What you're sharing is your personal position, which seems to emphasize protecting vulnerable individuals. How would you respond to concerns that denying access to MAID for competent adults is inherently paternalistic and undermines their autonomy and dignity?
Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath, As an Individual
I've never made that argument here.
Senator, Alberta, PSG
I'm asking how you would respond to those concerns that we've heard before this committee.
Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath, As an Individual
MAID came about through Carter, so it's a constitutional decriminalization, basically. Then we had this lower court ruling in Quebec. Within those parameters set out in the legislation, provided those are met, there's not much room for argument on that.
I have a personal opinion on what I think is happening, if that's what you're asking me for.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marcus Powlowski
Thank you. I'm sorry, but we don't have time for that personal opinion.
Mr. Cooper, you have the floor for three minutes.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Dr. Maher, just to follow up, you indicated that a 35-year-old patient who had severe mental illness was offered MAID by a family physician proactively. What happened to that patient?
Psychiatrist, Ontario Association for ACT & FACT
She died of an unexpected medical condition before the MAID date.