Media Advisory: No to MAiD for Mental Illness.

Gordon Friesen

Media Advisory: No to MAiD for Mental Illness.

Press Conference: Tuesday October 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

Location: Parliamentary Press Gallery – Room 135B West Block

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) is hosting a press conference on October 28 at 11 a.m. in the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Speakers: Gordon Friesen, EPC President, Paul Saba, Montréal Family Physician, Alex Schadenberg, EPC Executive Director, and Kelsi Sheren, Combat veteran, CEO and mental health expert.

Alex Schadenberg

The press conference will focus on why Bill C-218, the private members bill that will prevent the implementation of euthanasia, or “medical assistance in dying” (“MAiD”), for mental illness alone, needs to be passed into law.

Gordon Friesen will speak about the lived experience of people with disabilities with relation to euthanasia in Canada.

Alex Schadenberg will speak about what is happening with euthanasia in Canada and explain why Bill C-218 must be passed into law.

Kelsi Sheren

Kelsi Sheren will speak about her experience as a veteran who required treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after returning from combat in Afghanistan. Euthanasia for mental illness threatens her life as she would qualify if it were already permitted.

Dr Paul Saba will explain that 90% of people who attempt a suicide and receive treatment do not want to die. Most psychiatrists do not support euthanasia for mental illness because of their concern for their vulnerable patients. It is also impossible to decide whether a mental health condition is irremediable.

Dr Paul Saba

Contact Alex Schadenberg at 519-851-1434 or email: alex@epcc.ca

Participation in the question and answer portion of this event is in person or via Zoom, and is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.

Seuls les membres de la tribune parlementaire peuvent participer à la période de questions et réponses, qui aura lieu sur place et via Zoom. Les médias qui ne sont pas membres de la tribune parlementaire peuvent communiquer avec pressres2@parl.gc.ca pour obtenir l'accès temporaire.

More articles on this topic:

• Bill C-218 introduced to prevent MAiD for Mental Illness (Link). 
• Support Bill C-218. No to MAiD for Mental Illness (Link). 
• Supporting Bill C-218 - I am so thankful to be alive (Link). 
• I got better. Support Bill C-218 prevent MAiD for Mental Illness (Link). 
• My story: No to MAiD for Mental Illness (Link). 
• Patti's story. Support Bill C-218. (Link).