Support Bill C-314 against the extension of euthanasia to people with mental illnesses
Bill C-314, introduced for first reading in the House of Commons of Canada by Conservative MP Ed Fast on February 10, 2023, will be debated at second reading tomorrow, October 5, 2023. C-314 is intended to prevent the extension of euthanasia to people with only mental illness, which will otherwise come into effect in March 2024. The summary for C-314 states:
"This enactment amends the Criminal Code to provide that a mental disorder is not a grievous and irremediable medical condition for which a person could receive medical assistance in dying."
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) held a press conference on October 3 in Conference Room 135-B of Parliament, during which EPC President Gordon Friesen, Dr. Paul Saba, Anike Morrison and Lia Milousis, two young women with a history of mental health issues, expressed their support for C-314.
Gordon Friesen, introducing the speakers, pointed out, among other things, that the majority of
the population does not support the extension of euthanasia.
Anike Morrison explains that in 2014 she lost her brother which affected her greatly, to the point that she had several serious mental health problems. In 2018, she was hospitalized five times, she says, with palpable emotion in her voice, that if euthanasia had been presented to her as a solution at that time, she probably wouldn't be here now. It was thanks to the care she received at the hospital that she was able to get through this ordeal. Since then, she has been able to study, get a degree, and travel. In short, she loves her current life. She says it's impossible to predict whether a person's mental health will improve or worsen. She believes there needs to be a focus on suicide prevention measures and care for the vulnerable. It makes it clear that you can't do both: introduce both suicide prevention and euthanasia to people with mental illness.
Lia Milousis, 27, is a lawyer who struggled with depression for 10 years. She explains that she worked as a lawyer to fight against the extension of euthanasia to people only with mental illness, and that, after working tirelessly against this extension, she saw that the only useful thing she could do was tell her story. She points out how stigmatized mental illness is, particularly in the bar. She wants to let senators and members of the House of Commons know that she opposes the extension of euthanasia as a person living with a mental illness. At the age of 15, she began to experience depression as a result of trauma. This chronic depression, which included anorexia, self-harm and bulimia, led him to attempt suicide seven times. If she had been presented with euthanasia in those moments of despair, she would have accepted it, because in this state she thought death was the only solution to suffering.
Dr. Paul Saba shares his experience as a family physician. In his practice, he has advised many people with mental problems who have called him, especially during covid. He says that everyone has a reason to live and that they need to be helped to find it. He stressed the need to improve support for people living in poverty and access to care in the health system (from 16:30 he speaks in French).
Support Bill C-314 by writing to your Member of Parliament.
"This enactment amends the Criminal Code to provide that a mental disorder is not a grievous and irremediable medical condition for which a person could receive medical assistance in dying."
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) held a press conference on October 3 in Conference Room 135-B of Parliament, during which EPC President Gordon Friesen, Dr. Paul Saba, Anike Morrison and Lia Milousis, two young women with a history of mental health issues, expressed their support for C-314.
Gordon Friesen, introducing the speakers, pointed out, among other things, that the majority of
the population does not support the extension of euthanasia.
Anike Morrison explains that in 2014 she lost her brother which affected her greatly, to the point that she had several serious mental health problems. In 2018, she was hospitalized five times, she says, with palpable emotion in her voice, that if euthanasia had been presented to her as a solution at that time, she probably wouldn't be here now. It was thanks to the care she received at the hospital that she was able to get through this ordeal. Since then, she has been able to study, get a degree, and travel. In short, she loves her current life. She says it's impossible to predict whether a person's mental health will improve or worsen. She believes there needs to be a focus on suicide prevention measures and care for the vulnerable. It makes it clear that you can't do both: introduce both suicide prevention and euthanasia to people with mental illness.
Lia Milousis, 27, is a lawyer who struggled with depression for 10 years. She explains that she worked as a lawyer to fight against the extension of euthanasia to people only with mental illness, and that, after working tirelessly against this extension, she saw that the only useful thing she could do was tell her story. She points out how stigmatized mental illness is, particularly in the bar. She wants to let senators and members of the House of Commons know that she opposes the extension of euthanasia as a person living with a mental illness. At the age of 15, she began to experience depression as a result of trauma. This chronic depression, which included anorexia, self-harm and bulimia, led him to attempt suicide seven times. If she had been presented with euthanasia in those moments of despair, she would have accepted it, because in this state she thought death was the only solution to suffering.
Dr. Paul Saba shares his experience as a family physician. In his practice, he has advised many people with mental problems who have called him, especially during covid. He says that everyone has a reason to live and that they need to be helped to find it. He stressed the need to improve support for people living in poverty and access to care in the health system (from 16:30 he speaks in French).
Support Bill C-314 by writing to your Member of Parliament.
