The expansion of assisted suicide to Canadians with mental illness faced heavy opposition from the Conservative Party as they tried to pass a motion against it.
Ed Fast, Conservative Member of Parliament for Abbotsford, expressed his disappointment with the Liberal decision, stating that “Despite this, Justin Trudeau continues to push aggressively to expand MAID to those suffering from mental illness.”
Fast argued that experts have raised concerns about the safety of implementing MAID for mental illness and that Canada’s medical schools have called for a delay in the expansion of eligibility to those with mental disorders. He stressed that it is difficult to determine if an individual’s mental illness will never respond to treatment.
The Conservatives introduced legislation to prevent the expansion of medical assistance in dying to Canadians with mental illness as the sole condition. However, Fast lamented that the majority of Liberal Members of Parliament chose to disregard the concerns of those suffering from mental illness in order to toe the party line.
Despite their disappointment, the Conservative Party says they remain committed to advocating for those left behind by this legislation.
Fast declared, “Conservatives will continue to fight for those who are left behind by this legislation, and we will not support the expansion of MAID to include mental illness.”
Fast emphasized the importance of standing on the side of the most vulnerable and their loved ones.
“We will put people back in control of their lives, enabling them to lead good and decent lives. This is why we will never give up on anyone. Conservatives will stand on the side of the most vulnerable and their loved ones.”
Just in February of this year, the Liberals were holding off on the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying.
