Great News: The Canadian government will further delay the implementation of euthanasia for mental illness.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition wants the Canadian government to stop the expansion of euthanasia to people with mental illness.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Canadian Press reported on January 29, 2024 that Canada's Health Minister, Hon Mark Holland, announced today that Canada is not ready to expand the euthanasia law to include euthanasia for mental illness alone but the government has not yet announced how long that they intend to delay euthanasia for mental illness in Canada.

Alex Schadenberg, the Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) said that he welcomes the further delay in implementing euthanasia for mental illness but EPC will continue to demand that the expansion of euthanasia to people with mental illness not only be delayed but be stopped.

The (EPC) launched a campaign to stop euthanasia for mental illness.  

The campaign includes a rally and media conference on Parliament Hill on February 6 at 11 am.

A parliamentary post-card campaign that states: I demand that the government reverse its decision to permit “MAiD” for mental illness alone. The cards are ordered for free by contacting EPC at: 1-877-439-3348 or email: office@epcc.ca.

A petition (Petition Link) to the Justice Minister and the Justice Critics urging the Canadian government to reverse the decision to permit euthanasia for mental illness and demanding that Canadians with mental illness not be abandoned to death by euthanasia (“MAiD”).

EPC also sent a copy of Tyler Dunlop's book: Therefore Choose Life—My Journey from Hopelessness to Hope to every Member of Parliament.

The Canadian Press reported today that Health Minister Holland said:

the Liberal government agrees that more time is needed and agrees with the conclusion of a joint parliamentary committee report released today.

The committee's final report, tabled just moments before Holland and Justice Minister Arif Virani appeared on Parliament Hill, says fundamental issues around the expansion have not been resolved.

MPs and senators on the committee say it would be "reckless and dangerous" for the Liberal government to allow the scheduled change to take place in March.

Justice Minister Virani was reported by the Canadian Press as stating that the government is aware of the March 17, 2024 deadline and will have a plan in place, he did not indicate when the new timeline or "rules" for killing people with mental illness alone will be released.

EPC will continue to demand that the Canadian government abandon its plan to permit euthanasia for mental illness.

More articles on this topic:

• Join the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition rally on February 6 at 11 am to oppose euthanasia for mental illness. (Link).
• Tell your MP to oppose euthanasia for mental illness (Link).
• Join our campaign. Stop euthanasia of people with mental illness (Link).