Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I thank the member for South Surrey—White Rock for her contributions at committee and for her contributions today through the deeply heartfelt and very personal speech she just gave. However, I take issue with some of the points she raised. First, with respect to coercion, the evidence indicates that no discipline or prosecution has taken place against any doctor or nurse in this country in the five years we have had MAID.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for his contributions. To begin, I do not think we are going to apologize for not only responding to Truchon, but also expanding on the regime to address the Audrey Parker amendment, which is critical for Atlantic Canadians and all Canadians.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, with respect to the last comment, the consultations included 300,000 Canadians reaching out online, and many meetings conducted around the country by the three ministers, me, and two other parliamentary secretaries, where we heard from stakeholders, including persons with disabilities.

Petitions  Madam Speaker, the second petition I am presenting on behalf of petitioners in my riding of Parkdale—High Park is with respect to credit card fees charged to small businesses. The petition recognizes small businesses as the lifeblood of our communities and the fact that during this pandemic credit card payments have become much more prevalent.

Petitions  Madam Speaker, today I have the privilege of presenting two petitions on behalf of my constituent. The first petition was sent to me by my constituent, Arkady Silverman. Arkady and the petitioners in my riding of Parkdale—High Park are deeply concerned about the ongoing human rights abuses in the anglophone region of Cameroon.

Justice  Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for his question, for his conviction on this issue, and for all of the advocacy and work he has done at committee and otherwise. We know that conversion therapy efforts are rooted in the premise that one's sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression can and should be changed to a narrow ideal of what is considered natural or normal.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Timmins—James Bay for his contributions to the national suicide action plan. That is exactly the type of initiative we need more of. I reject the insinuation, which seems to be repetitive of that of the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, that somehow the Senate has been instrumentalized to do an end run around the House of Commons.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I know this is personal for others, just as it is personal for me. Obviously mental health touches all of us and all of our families, and it has touched my family. That is a difficult question to answer, but what I would say is that I am comfortable trying to proceed incrementally as we have done, starting with Bill C-14 and now with Bill C-7, but doing it on the basis of having a lot of input from those in the medical community whose jobs are to diagnose, treat and provide support to those who are suffering from a mental illness.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands for her extensive contributions to Parliament, including in terms of this debate. Absolutely, the CERB issue raised the notion of a guaranteed income or a universal basic income. That idea has not left the scene and remains something that needs to be actively considered.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for his contributions today and in the past to this debate over the last many years. The issue with respect to the social context and listening to disability rights organizations is one I concur with, and one I think our government would concur with.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, that is a very interesting observation and a criticism that I have heard many times. Instead of addressing the question directly, I would like to begin by saying that I appreciated the member's work during our committee study. I also want to emphasize that we need to listen to all members of the disability community, not just a few.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to participate in the consideration of the amendments proposed by the Senate to Bill C-7, which seeks to amend the Criminal Code provisions on medical assistance in dying. Our colleagues did a lot of work on Bill C-7 and proposed reasoned amendments following careful deliberations.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, first, the notion that there is homogeneity with respect to persons with disabilities on this issue is far from the truth. The Senate's sponsor of the bill is a woman with a disability who supports the initiative of the government, as does a former minister in the Conservative government of Stephen Harper, a gentleman named Steven Fletcher.

Persons with Disabilities  Madam Speaker, in responding to the member opposite, I would simply point out that even following the Senate's study of this very important bill, we have seen a further widening of different views with respect to the aspect of persons with disabilities, including those with mental illness.

Persons with Disabilities  Madam Speaker, medical assistance in dying is a complex and difficult issue. It calls on us to reflect on some fundamental interests and values, such as the protection and support of our most vulnerable. We need to reflect on the meaning and inherent value of life, and we need to consider how to balance an individual's right to make important decisions for themselves with the responsibilities we all have to others.