My mother had severe mental illness. I support Bill C-218.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

In March 2021, the Canadian government expanded the euthanasia law by passing Bill C-7. One of the expansions in the law permitted euthanasia for a mental illness alone. The government originally approved a two-year moratorium for euthanasia for mental illness alone to provide time and prepare for the change.

The government has now delayed the implementation of euthanasia for mental illness alone twice and currently euthanasia for mental illness alone will begin on March 17, 2027.

In June, 2025, Tamara Jansen (MP - Cloverdale - Langley City) introduced private members Bill C-218 in parliament to prevent euthanasia (MAiD) for mental illness alone. 

Bill C-218 excludes mental illness from being defined as a "grievous and irremediable medical condition" for the purposes of MAiD. Bill C-218, if passed will prevent MAID for mental illness alone.

On April 7, 2026 the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition received a message from woman who is urging the passage of Bill C-218 based on her personal experience. She stated:

I am a 73-year-old woman. My mother had severe mental illness and received many shock treatments that eventually put her over the edge and doctors thought she would be in the hospital for the rest of her life. Thankfully a medication was found that worked for her. 

My mother was an extremely intelligent woman who raised 11 children. She babysat my children her grandchildren as well and she lived to be 80 years old. 

My youngest son is bipolar as well and fortunately has a psychiatrist. 

When my mother was sick, and my children were young, I would just very calmly say to them that grandma‘s not well right now. They always understood and loved her unconditionally.

There are several effective ways you help get Bill C-218 passed:

1. Sign the petition in support of Bill C-218 (Link).
2. Share your story about living with mental illness, as Andrew Lawton (MP) did with his message: I got better. Support Bill C-218 prevent MAiD for Mental Illness (Link). 
3. Send your personal stories about living with mental illness to info@epcc.ca.
4. Contact your Member of Parliament and share your story or share your support for Bill C-218. Contact your Member of Parliament at: (Member of Parliament List).
5. Often it is easier and more efffective to call your Member of Parliament. The phone numbers are part of the MP contact information. (Member of Parliament List).
6. Refer to the information in the Bill C-218 handout for Members of Parliament (Link).

Remember. The majority of Canadians do not support MAiD for mental illness. 

 

To pass, Bill C-218 will need Members of Parliament from all political parties to support it. Keys to speaking to your Member of Parliament:

• Only comment on MAiD for mental illness alone. Bill C-218 only deals with that issue. There are many concerns, but mixing issues weakens your position.
• Contact your Member of Parliament, even if you know his/her position on MAiD.
• Ask others, including groups that you belong to, to contact the Member of Parliament.

More information on Bill C-218.

• 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).
• The majority of Canadians do not support MAiD (euthanasia) for mental illness (Link).