Thank you.
Ms. Gilbert, Quebec enacted the Act Respecting End-of-Life Care even before the Supreme Court issued the Carter ruling. Because of that decision, Quebec had to amend its original law, which had only allowed medical assistance in dying in circumstances where people were terminally ill, at the end of life.
However, it was through the Truchon and Gladu cases, as well as Judge Baudouin’s ruling, that Quebec later realized its law excluded a certain number of people and could be discriminatory. Quebec’s law has recently been amended.
In addition to its end-of-life care law, Quebec has established a commission tasked with compiling records and reviewing them as necessary. Every instance of medical assistance in dying is subject to review, if necessary.
I don’t know, and this seems to be the case in other parts of Canada, but it might be a solution for people who are concerned about how care is provided.
Professor Downie, who appeared before the committee, told us that a blanket ban targeting individuals whose only underlying health condition was a mental disorder ran counter to the Carter ruling, because it did not allow for individualized assessments.
I imagine you agree with that, don’t you?