Gov. Gen. Julie Payette has an opportunity to relieve suffering, prevent illness and save lives. Her office was granted the powers to extend mercy and to correct injustices.

Bill C-15 should be welcomed with open arms alongside a healthy amount of skepticism. But if the Mandela Rules and the Structured Intervention Units offer any indication, the implementation of UNDRIP may be in name only.

Nearly 25 years later, Canada still has not ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, leaving us a pariah on the international stage.