Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Let's take an example where that's not the case. We have lots of situations where young children are very well supported by families and they come to a decision on their own because they might have been living through any kind of illness for quite some time. They've decided that this is not going to get better, it's not going to change and it's not fixable.

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Yes, but we're not talking about that category.

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  We have to make a distinction, because not everybody is in that category.

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  We have lots of other situations. I'm just trying to focus on this, because obviously if there are big social concerns or they have no access, that's a different set of problems.

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  But I'm really trying to not have that category. It's not a balancing act of how many people are in each category. I'm talking about children who are well supported, who have had access to all sorts of treatments and support, psychologically and medically, and who have come to a decision.

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Okay. I don't know how much time we have left. Is there a moment for Professor Carnevale to respond?

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Right. Thank you.

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Thank you very much, Chair. I'd just like to hear from Dr. MacIntosh, just in response to what Mr. Salte said, that he has some reservations about review boards and the complications that might come with them, as opposed to relying on the judgment of the assessors and the medical professionals who are hands on in a particular situation.

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  It is a kind of post facto review to establish practices and review outcomes.

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Yes, that's helpful. Mr. Salte, I was interested in your phrase, to go with “decisional capacity” versus “mature minors”, because it seems to be clearer just using those words, as Senator Mégie said, as definitions for these things. Are there other situations where “decisional capacity” as a concept is recognized and used regularly with legal weight?

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Do you see that concept used in your experience as a lawyer, versus someone dealing almost strictly with the medical side of legal issues or the medical field? Are there other places where that idea is recognized and accepted?

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  I'll just go back to Dr. MacIntosh. Even though you—

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  You said that age 12 would be a number you could live with for someone showing decisional capacity. Is that recognized anywhere else in the world or in any other field?

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Okay. You have obviously very strong opinions on this. Are you arguing that now, at 19, that you in fact are fully emotionally and intellectually developed and therefore able to make this decision?

Medical Assistance in Dying committee  Sorry?