Exclude mental illness from MAID

AI summary

This petition supports MP Tamara Jansen’s Bill C-218 (the “Right to Recover Act”) and asks the House of Commons to amend the Criminal Code so that a mental illness alone is not treated as a "grievous and irremediable" condition for medical assistance in dying (MAID). Petitioners state the government intends to expand MAID to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness and argue that mental illness can be treatable and recovery possible, that experts say irremediability cannot currently be predicted, and that expansion could harm vulnerable people and imply some lives are unsalvageable. They call on the government to pass Bill C-218 to stop that expansion.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons In support of M.P. Tamara Jansen's Private Members Bill C-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). Whereas: The Government of Canada intends to expand medical assistance in dying (MAID) to individuals whose only medical condition is a mental illness; Mental illness is treatable, recovery is possible, and experts agree it is currently impossible to predict when a mental illness is truly irremediable; Expanding MAID in this way risks suggesting that some lives are beyond saving, while many Canadians still struggle to access timely and effective mental health care; Public concern is high, with many Canadians believing that treatment options should come before MAID and fearing that vulnerable individuals may seek MAID due to lack of care; Families and communities are concerned that people who could recover through treatment and support may instead lose their lives; Bill C-218, the Right to Recover Act, would amend the Criminal Code to ensure that mental illness alone is not considered a grievous and irremediable condition for the purposes of MAID. Therefore, we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Pass Bill C-218 to stop the expansion of MAID to those whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness.

Government response

No government response is available yet.