Canada October 06, 2023
Abbotsford MP’s bill to block MAiD for mental illness gets some New Democrat support
By Quinton Amundson
Abbotsford MP Ed Fast says his private member’s bill to stop the expansion of MAiD (medical assistance in dying) to the mentally ill is gaining support across the country, and even within the House of Commons.
The Conservative’s conviction was validated to an extent during second reading debate on Oct. 5 as NDP MP Don Davies signalled he will back Fast’s Bill C-314 on Oct. 18, when the bill will be voted on in Parliament, either sending it to committee for study or killing it on the floor of Parliament.
Davies said the current rush toward expanding MAiD access on March 17, 2024, does a disservice to the Canadian public and psychological experts who believe the mental health apparatus is not ready for this profound change to the system.
Davies advocated for adequate time “to facilitate a comprehensive national conversation about acceptable safeguards and the availability of medically assisted dying for those suffering from psychological or mental health conditions alone.”
Such action “would minimize negative impacts on people living with mental health problems and illnesses when they are most vulnerable, and on their caregivers and health professionals.”
Davies also extensively cited findings from a poll jointly released by the Angus Reid Institute and the Cardus think tank in September. About 82 per cent of Canadians oppose expanding MAiD before investing in better access to mental health supports, and 52 per cent fear if euthanasia does get wider approval, treating mental health will no longer be viewed as a priority.
Fast told The Catholic Register that he and other Canadians seek to roll back MAiD stop its descent down a slippery slope.
“Canadians are very, very uncomfortable with extending MAiD to the most vulnerable groups in our society,” said Fast. “It is not only the mentally ill. We know that the government has signalled that it is interested in extending MAiD to children … without parental consent. That should be deeply troubling to all Canadians.”
Fast is also concerned with the impact on opioid-addicted people on the streets of Vancouver, Toronto and elsewhere. “They have lost all hope of getting timely treatment and want to pull the plug on their life,” he said. “The message that government should be sending is there is hope, and we need to do everything to help people find that hope.”
Fast shared the story of Donna Duncan (reported in the Sept. 18 B.C. Catholic) during his parliamentary testimony. She was approved so quickly for assisted death – over the years she could not secure proper treatment for chronic mental health issues – that it blindsided her daughters Alicia and Christie, who reported the incident to the RCMP, suggesting their mother’s death was carried out in a shameful manner with no family consultation.
Conservative MP Len Webber shared an anecdote about a constituent named Anton, a man in his mid-20s at the time of the original MAiD debate in 2016. He visited Webber in his office and announced his desire for euthanasia because he was tired of living with perpetual mental health struggles. Ultimately, Anton found a way to seek professional help, and now, Webber says, he has found love and is looking to start a new business.
“I know that if MAID legislation in 2016 had permitted mental health as a sole reason, it is quite possible that Anton would have ended his life without exploring all of his options,” said Webber.
“I am very grateful for the perspective that Anton has given me on this issue, as it has profoundly convinced me that those whose sole condition is a mental disorder should not have access to medical assistance in dying.”
Meanwhile, Liberal and the Bloc Quebecois speakers shared their intent to vote against Bill C-314.
Liberal Kevin Lamoureux said he will “fall back” on the “fine work” done already by the standing committees, stakeholders, and mental health professionals on MAiD legislation and stick to the recommendation of allowing euthanasia access to expand in five months.
Bloc Quebecois MP Monique Pauze took a more aggressive posture against Fast and his bill, accusing him of “blatant politicization of this issue.”
On Oct. 3, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition held a press conference in Ottawa to discuss Bill C-314.
Canadian Catholic News