I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number four of the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying.
Pursuant to the orders of reference of the Senate adopted on February 26, 2026, and the order of reference of the House of Commons adopted on February 13, 2026, the special joint committee is meeting to study the eligibility for medical assistance in dying of those whose sole condition is a mental illness.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application. I do see some people out there. I'd like to confirm that sound tests were made successfully.
Before we continue, I would ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents, and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters, whom we thank. You will also notice a QR code on the card, which links to a short awareness video.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of witnesses and members. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you're not speaking. For those on Zoom, at the bottom of your screen, you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation: floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
This is a reminder that all comments should be addressed through the chair, which is me, for this meeting. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
I'd like to welcome our witnesses for the first panel today. I think they are all virtual.
We have Dr. Christopher Lyon, visiting research fellow, Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath. We also have Dr. John Maher, psychiatrist, Ontario Association for ACT & FACT.
John, when you have your speaking time, you may want to explain ACT and FACT.
I'll try to get your attention when you have about 30 seconds left. You can go a bit over the time. If you find that you're running out of time, you might try to get everything in on time, but you will probably have a chance to come back to it when there are questions if you don't get through everything.
Dr. Lyon, if you'd like to commence, you have the floor for five minutes.