Mr. Speaker, I thought I would outline some of the subjects that I will deal with in my closing statements in the remainder of my speech.
I spent nine years on the board of the Mississauga Hospital, five years of which were on the ethics committee of the board of directors. During that period of time, I headed up a group that looked at the subject matter of no CPR orders, non-resuscitation policies.
The issues of informed consent and mental competency, whether the person had all the medical information, or were aware of all the options or there was coercion by family members or friends, are important issues to take into consideration.
The bill goes under the moniker of right to die with dignity, but the amendment to the Criminal Code would give a person the right to terminate a life before natural death. It would not give the right to die with dignity to someone. It would give the right of someone to take a life. That is a subtle difference.
I hope as many members as possible will get an opportunity to address this. Palliative care workers are concerned about this. Organizations and hospices are doing their very best to give the best possible care in terrible situations. Disabled in our society are obviously concerned about whether their lives are at risk because someone decides they do not live in dignity.
All human life is dignified life.