Zoom Meeting (March 21): Euthanasia in Canada. What's Next?

Join the rescheduled Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 21 at 2 pm (Eastern Time) (11 am Pacific Time) 

Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Kathy Matusiak Costa, Director of Compassionate Community Care and Ottawa human rights lawyer, Lia Milousis will discuss - Euthanasia in Canada. What's Next?

Register in advance for this meeting: (Registration Link). 

Lia Milousis

Lia has become an expert on euthanasia based on her professional and personal experiences.

Kathy Matusiak Costa will discuss the direction of Compassionate Community Care and its programs that provide training and support for community groups and families.

Alex Schadenberg

Alex Schadenberg will speak about the direction of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.

Bill C-62, the bill to postpone the implementation of euthanasia for mental illness alone until March 2027 has passed. We will talk about what is next.

We will discuss the problems and opportunities for Canadians to stop euthanasia.

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition says that the expansion of euthanasia to include mental illness should be scrapped.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Marissa Galko, reported on the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) Press Conference for the National Post on February 27. 

The EPC press conference at the parliamentary press gallery was concerning Bill C-62, a bill which will delay the implementation of euthanasia for mental illness until March 2027. Bill C-62 has passed in parliament but the Senate continues to debate the bill.

EPC called on the goverment to block all expansions of euthanasia in Canada. Galko reports:

Hon Ed Fast speaking.

At a press conference, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition was joined by Conservative MP Ed Fast who said Canada should protect those with mental illness rather allowing them to die, saying it is a “life or death issue.”

“How is it that we, as parliamentarians, have repeatedly supported a strong national suicide prevention program, including a newly established 9-8-8 helpline, when, in the same breath, we advocate for euthanization for those very same individuals?” said Fast.

Galko then reported that the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition supports the three-year delay, but would prefer that the government not expand MAID at all.

“The position of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is obviously that we welcome the delay but we actually oppose the concept of euthanasia for mental illness and the concept of even expanding to this,” said Alex Schadenberg, the coalition’s executive director.

Dr Paul Saba

Dr Paul Saba, a family physician from Montreal also spoke at the press conference. Galko reported:

Dr. Paul Saba, a family physician who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said Canada has a responsibility to offer proper remedies for those suffering with mental illness, such as access to psychiatrists and social workers.

Saba said there must be a “wide variety of alternative treatments” available to those who may otherwise resort to MAID “including art, music, dance, recreation, pet and other therapies.” He also said Canada should provide “free medications, affordable housing, and food security” to help with rehabilitation.

“People don’t want to die, they just want to end their psychological distress,” Saba said. “The longer someone lives with a mental illness, the less capable they are able to provide free and informed consent.”

Lia Milousis

Lia Milousis, an Ottawa human rights lawyer who spoke on behalf of the coalition, told her story of how she overcame depression. Galko reported:

“Having reached this point, I find it deeply disturbing to see our society is moving to a place where it would offer suicide assistance to those who really need suicide prevention,” she said.

She said that if MAID had been available to her while she was suffering from her depression, she “would not be here today.” Milousis asked what message this would send to those needing support, suggesting that governments should offer “a message of hope” instead.

Alex Schadenberg

Euthanasia for mental illness alone was legalized when Canada passed Bill C-7 in March 2021. At first the implementation of this part of the statute was delayed until March 2023. Last year the implementation was delayed until March 2024 and Bill C-62, if passed by Canada's Senate, will delay the implementation of euthanasia for mental illness alone until March 2027.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has argued that euthanasia for mental illness alone should not even be considered.

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition - February 27 Press Conference concerning euthanasia for mental illness.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Press Conference: Tuesday February 27, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Location: Parliamentary Press Gallery – Room 135B West Block

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) is hosting a press conference on February 27 at 10 a.m. in the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Speakers will include human rights lawyer Garifalia Milousis, Montréal Family Physician, Dr. Paul Saba, Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the EPC and the Hon. Ed Fast, who sponsored Bill C-314, the mental health protection act that would have amended the law to prevent medical assistance in dying (MAID) for mental illness alone.

Garifalia Milousis

Bill C-62, the bill to postpone the establishment of MAID for mental illness alone, passed in the House of Commons and is being debated in the Senate. The EPC urges the Senate to pass Bill C-62 but it is our position that Canada’s MAID law must be amended to prevent MAID for mental illness alone.

Garifalia Milousis is a 27-year-old lawyer who has struggled with depression. After the passing of Bill C-7 in March 2021, which permitted MAID for mental illness alone, she decided to tell her story. Garifalia believes that unless you have experienced mental illness, you cannot understand how patronizing it is to hear people distinguish between MAID and suicidality.

Dr Paul Saba

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

Following the press conference there will be a rally on Parliament Hill from 11 a.m. until 12 noon. There will be time to personally interview the rally speakers.

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.

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