I will do my best to summarize the rest of my presentation, Mr. Chair.
I want to point out that autonomy is one of the core values outlined in the Carter decision.
As for vulnerability, it is, of course, a complex and subtle concept. Although the term “vulnerable populations” has been used to describe certain identifiable groups in society, the panel heard from many sources that vulnerability is not simply a characteristic of an individual or group, but rather is a state that any one of us could be in under certain circumstances. We heard that sometimes people are made vulnerable in particular contexts and situations when personal autonomy, status, wealth, and well-being are compromised in any significant way.
What this means in the context of physician-assisted dying is that all persons are potentially vulnerable. Being vulnerable does not disqualify a person who is suffering intolerably from seeking an assisted death, but it does put that person at risk of being induced to request a death that he or she does not desire. This is the risk that the Supreme Court called upon Parliament and provincial legislatures to address in a complex regulatory scheme.
Concerns were raised about access to physician-assisted dying, particularly for people living in Canada's remote communities. Concerns were also raised about how indigenous people will respond to physician-assisted dying.
There were, of course, many questions about which there were competing visions. For example, do the terms “grievous” and “irremediable” need further definition in legislation, or should physicians and their regulatory bodies have the discretion to interpret these terms? Should the decision to provide an assisted death be subject to review, and if so, should that review take place before or after a request has been granted? Are protections for vulnerable persons required beyond those routinely in place for patients wishing to refuse or withdraw life-sustaining treatment? How should the overlapping jurisdictions of provinces and the federal order of government be addressed?
The establishment of eligibility criteria, possible definitions of key terms, and the implementation of appropriate safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals are theoretically the responsibility of the various governments and legislative assemblies. In this regard, the Canadian population expects collaboration between the federal government and the provinces and territories so that the division of responsibilities and the implementation of physician-assisted dying and its oversight are managed in a consistent and effective manner.
While most attention has been given to physicians as our country is in the process of making particularly important decisions on this incitive and challenging topic, our extensive consultations and work, including the report before you, were completed and delivered to the government within five months. Our panel wanted to advance the debate and to make sure that everyone—from citizens to members of Parliament to federal ministers to provincial and territorial elected officials or representatives—had access to all relevant perspectives and information.
Above all, Mr. Chair, we wanted to assist this Parliament in making informed decisions. I hope the report of our panel and my testimony today will facilitate this committee's work.
In conclusion, I would like to signal for you, members of this committee, that as I am appearing on behalf of my co-panellists, there will be occasions today when I will respond on behalf of the panel and there will be times when I will be giving my personal opinion. When those latter situations arise, I will say so.
Those are my opening remarks. Thank you. I would be happy to take any questions you may have in the official language of your choice.