Canadians need Medical Assistance in Living not Medical Assistance in Dying

The following is the speech by Dr Paul Saba at the EPC Press Conference on February 27 at the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Dr Paul Saba speaking at the EPC Press Conference

Starting March 17, 2024, Canadians with mental health problems will be able to access euthanasia. (If the Senate doesn't pass Bill C-62)

In Canada, euthanasia is called “medical assistance in dying.” This must not happen. 

It is not medical assistance in dying that people need, but rather medical assistance in living. 

Around one in five people will have a mental illness in their lifetime. Less than half will seek professional help. 

The recent pandemic has worsened mental health problems especially for marginalized women. young adults, indigenous people, the poor, and people with pre-existing mental disorders. 

More than 50% of people receive mental health care from their family doctor, often without help from other providers. 

Our health and social care system is failing for people with mental health problems.

According to the Angus Reid Institute poll, most Canadians do not support medical assistance in dying (MAID) for mental illnesses and want improved mental health care. 

In Quebec, the average waiting time between consultation with a psychiatrist and treatment is approximately five months. However, the new law requires a three-month waiting period before euthanasia is administered. In other words, the person who wants to see a psychiatrist will be long dead before they get an appointment with the psychiatrist. 

There is always a reason to live, but as caregivers we must find that reason for the person to want to live. 

Nobody wants to die. Instead, people want to escape their emotional distress. We must help them in their distress. 

Most psychiatrists do not support legalizing euthanasia for the mentally ill due to increased risks for certain groups such as women, young adults, the poor and other marginalized groups. 

Additionally, psychiatrists often disagree which patient is irremediable. 

From a legal point of view, the request for medical assistance in dying for the mentally ill does not meet the condition of free and informed consent. The longer a person lives with a mental illness, the less able they are to give free and informed consent. 

As a society we have a responsibility to improve our health care system for people with mental health problems. Rapid access to psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers must be ensured. Access to a wide variety of treatments, including art, music, dance, animals, recreation and other therapies, must be ensured. We must also guarantee free medicine, affordable housing, and food security. 

As a society we must provide the best care to people with mental health problems. We must treat them and not kill them through euthanasia or assisted suicide.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition held a Press Conference on February 27 at the Parliamentary Press Gallery with the Hon Ed Fast (MP), Dr Paul Saba, Lia Milousis, and Alex Schadenberg.