The definition of “irremediability” has been discussed at this committee for the last three sessions by experts in psychiatric disease and by legal scholars.
Practically speaking, from the point of view of the Canadian Association of MAID Assessors and Providers, we were required, as requested by Parliament, to come up with training that would allow the average physician and/or nurse practitioner to be engaged in the sort of clinical practice that would allow them—over time and with extensive consultation with the patient, those who support them and those who treat them, and with other collaborative approaches—to really understand the fullness of a person's experience.
In terms of irremediability, that's very difficult to assess in a day, a week or a month. Obviously, we're looking for probably many years of treatment, with all of the technologies, medicines and resources that are available, and with the support of experts in a particular illness, disease or disability. We know that not every clinician who is involved in MAID work will have the experience to deal with every patient who sits in front of them.