Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for sharing her heartfelt feelings on this matter.
I am a new member of Parliament, and this is obviously a topic that is important to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. I wish we had more time to debate and discuss the topic.
The hon. member for Don Valley West referenced Quebec in his presentation. However, Quebec took six years to make its recommendations. Quebec took the time to meet with groups from all over, including families and those who were for and against. Again, I wish we had more time on this, but clearly we do not.
I met with a group of nursing students the other week. My son is going through sciences and wants to be a doctor. They all had the same question. This is something that through their chosen field they will ultimately be faced with, and it is a difficult decision. They go into this industry to help, protect, and make people better, yet at one point they are going to have to make the choice to administer this. The nursing students were flabbergasted that this responsibility could come down to them. The comments they had were, “I don't know if I can do that. I don't know if this is the right profession for me.”
What are we supposed to say to them? There should be more discussion about conscience protection in this. I understand all sides of the issue, and I have witnessed family members at end of life go through terrible areas. I have a special needs adult child, and I have concerns.
What are we supposed to say to the next generation of doctors and nurses, that we have not put safeguards in place through the bill before us?