We, like everyone else who has appeared before you, have wrestled with this most complex issue of conscience. I know very well that in the Carter decision the Supreme Court specifically said that it is improper or unacceptable to compel a physician to participate in assisted dying.
Following that inability, the issue becomes “What then?” How do we move the patient to ensure the patient has appropriate access to someone willing to do it? Again, when I left Quebec as the CEO of a hospital, we were preparing. This was before the legislation was enacted. We were preparing for a mechanism, through the director of public health, to ensure that we would be able to provide a physician in that instance.
Each province has a different governance mechanism. I can't speak to every provincial governance and I can't speak to every provincial management system, but I agree with your position that the CEO of the hospital and the board of the hospital have an obligation to participate under the law of the land.
Again, I go back to the point that we think this is the best solution, a solution similar to what Quebec is providing for their patients in need.