The passage of Bill C-7 has successfully amended the Criminal Code on medical assistance in dying, thanks to a Liberal-Bloc coalition in a 180-149 vote..But pro-life activists and politicians adamantly oppose the amendment to include “mental illness” as a reason for choosing assisted suicide..Independent MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington Derek Sloan said in a press release, the Bill no longer constitutes “medical assistance in dying” (MAID) in those moments when people choosing this option are not dying or near death..“We must call this what it is: assisted suicide,” said Sloan..“During a pandemic – with heightened mental illness, addictions, and suicides, this is tremendously irresponsible. Sadly, I have no doubt the passage of C-7 will lead to many people with disabilities and mental illness choosing to die rather than to live..“I ask how we can have any meaningful suicide prevention if we’re simultaneously offering that person the option to die. I am deeply saddened by this unnecessary and callous treatment of human lives.”.The Department of Justice clarified the Bill would continue to prohibit MAID for individuals whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness..Justice officials said MAID involves several competing interests and societal values, which they argue Bill C-7 seeks to balance, including the autonomy of eligible individuals, the protection of vulnerable persons, and the need to address suicide as a public health issue. .The bill is a response to a 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling that struck down a provision in the law that allows assisted dying only for intolerably suffering individuals whose natural death is “reasonably foreseeable.”.However, Sloan pointed to the federal government’s hypocrisy as a big-government party, who showed no concern for personal autonomy in other facets of Canadians’ lives..He referenced the draconian lockdowns decimating small businesses, forced quarantining in federal quarantine centers – even elderly travellers – as points of contention..“There is no question this government is in favour of attempting to socially engineer Canadian society, yet if so, why aim to socially engineer those most vulnerable to choose to die?”.Hannah Salamon-Vegh, a student pro-life advocate, has deep concerns about the passing of Bill C-7..“As a pro-life activist, I advocate for human rights for all people from fertilization to natural death. By expanding MAID access to people whose death is not reasonably forceable, including those struggling with mental illness or disabilities, reflects ableist and ageist beliefs that are dangerous for our society,” said Salamon-Vegh..“It tells people their value is based on what they can contribute to society and not on who they are as a person.”.Salamon-Vegh contends that Bill C-7 reinforces that some people deserve suicide prevention and others suicide assistance..She also contends removing the 10-day mandatory reflection period for people whose death is reasonably forceable, or granting them MAID on the same day that they request it, facilitates a rushed, irreversible decision..“As Canadians, we need to focus on improving healthcare for everyone, especially people struggling with mental illness and those in palliative care, helping alleviate their suffering and showing them that their situation can improve instead of taking the easy way and helping them end their lives..“We always need to be focused on helping people who are suffering and are in vulnerable situations see the value of their life, no matter what they are going through. Especially during this time when so many people are suffering from mental health issues during the rolling lockdowns here in Canada.”.Dhaliwal is a Western Standard reporter based in Edmonton
