Proceedings of the Subcommittee to
Update "Of Life and Death"

Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, February 28, 2000
(6)

[English]

The subcommittee to update "Of Life and Death" met this day in room 257, East Block, at 1:03 p.m., the Honourable Sharon Carstairs, Chair, presiding.

Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Carstairs, Corbin and Pépin (4).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Roche (1).

In attendance: Mollie Dunsmuir and Nancy Miller-Chénier, Research Officers, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

From the Department of Health Canada:

Barbara Ouellet, Director of Home Care and Pharmaceuticals, Health Care Directorate, Policy and Consultation Branch;

Nancy Garrard, Director, Division of Aging and Seniors, Health Promotion and Programs Branch;

Dr. Christina Mills, Director, Cancer Bureau, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Protection Branch;

Leslie Gaudette, Section Head, Treatment and Paliation Section, Cancer Control Assessment and Surveillance Division, Cancer Bureau, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control;

Debra Gillis, Director, Health Programs Support Division, Medical Services Branch;

Cliff Halliwell, Director General, Applied Research and Analysis Directorate, Information, Analysis and Connectivity Branch.

From the Elisabeth-Bruyère Health Centre:

Ms Maryse Bouvette, nurse, Palliative Care Program;

Dr. Cori Schroder, Palliative Care Program;

Dr. Ray Viola, Palliative Care Program;

Diane Hupé, Vice-President, Palliative Care Program.

From the University of Toronto:

Dr. Peter Singer.

From the University of Manitoba:

Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov, Department of Psychiatry.

The Chair made an opening statement.

Barbara Ouellet, Nancy Garrard, Dr. Christina Mills, Debra Gillis and Cliff Halliwell each made a statement and, together with Leslie Gaudette, answered questions.

Pursuant to its Order of Reference adopted in the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on Monday, November 29, 1999, the subcommittee continued its examination of the developments since the tabling in June 1995 of the final report of the Special Senate Committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, entitled "Of Life and Death". (For full text of Order of Reference, please refer to Issue No. 1)

At 2:40 p.m., the subcommittee suspended.

At 2:46 p.m., the subcommittee resumed.

The Chair made a statement.

Maryse Bouvette, Dr. Cori Schroder, Dr. Ray Viola and Diane Hupé each made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:05 p.m., the subcommittee suspended.

At 4:18 p.m., the subcommittee resumed.

Dr. Harvey Chochinov made a statement and gave a slide presentation.

Peter Singer made a statement.

The witnesses answered questions.

At 5:29 p.m., the subcommittee proceeded to consideration of a draft budget.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Beaudoin -- That the following budget be submitted to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology for approval and submission to Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

After debate, it was agreed.

At 5:37 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Heather Lank

Clerk of the Subcommittee