Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Long, our committee has heard testimony primarily from multiple witnesses who disagree that MAID should be allowed for persons with a mental illness, despite empirical evidence to substantiate these claims. One of the arguments that's been brought up a few times is the idea that someone who is suicidal or has suicidal ideations can easily access MAID. But we know that here in Canada, to access MAID under the law, a person must meet very strict eligibility requirements. Being suicidal is not an eligibility criterion to access MAID.
From your experience, do you believe people with suicidal ideations can easily access MAID? As well, based on your experience, have the people who have sought MAID simply given up, or have they genuinely tried to make every possible treatment first before making the decision to request MAID?