Exclusive: Canadians Protest Trudeau's Proposal for State-Assisted Killing for Mental Illness (Videos)

In an ardent display of dissent, a group of concerned Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to protest the proposed amendment to Canada’s euthanasia law, allowing state-sanctioned euthanasia based solely on mental illness, excluding any other medical condition. This contentious amendment, which was scheduled to come into law in March of this year, has ignited widespread condemnation and spurred legislative action.

The Liberal Party government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, responded to the mounting opposition by drafting and passing Bill C-62, which aims to delay the implementation of the amendment for three years, or until 2027. This strategy effectively postpones the decision to the government that will come into power after the next election, which is required to be held before this delay expires.

Amidst the clamor of dissent, voices from various quarters spoke out against the proposed amendment. Notable among them was one of the principal organizers of Ottawa’s March for Life, an annual event vocally opposing Canada’s lenient abortion laws. Drawing parallels between the sanctity of life in the abortion debate and the impending euthanasia law, the protesters highlighted the moral and ethical implications of state-sanctioned death.

Alex Schadenberg, the Executive Director of the EPC (Euthanasia Prevention Coalition) and a participant in the rally, explains that over 60,000 MAiD [Canada’s medical assistance in dying law] deaths have occurred in Canada since its legalization in 2016 under Trudeau. Schadenberg, a leading figure in tracking MAiD data and coordinating resistance to these laws, highlighted the concerning trend, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention. The EPC’s efforts have been instrumental in providing accurate information on MAiD in the country.

During his speech at the rally, he shed light on the grim realities of Canada’s euthanasia practices, debunking the notion of a peaceful end.

This sentiment was echoed by Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), a prominent advocacy group, which vehemently opposed the expansion of euthanasia to include mental illness. CLC President Jeff Gunnarson emphasized the need for compassionate care for those grappling with mental health issues, asserting that euthanasia should never be considered a solution.

Joining forces with CLC were other advocacy groups such as the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) and Quebec Life Coalition, along with legal and medical experts. Together, they called for a complete halt to the implementation of euthanasia for the mentally ill, arguing for the protection of vulnerable individuals in society.

MP Ed Fast, the sponsor of Bill C-314 (Mental Health Protection Act), lent his support to the cause, underscoring the importance of safeguarding individuals with mental illness from medical assistance in dying (MAID). His presence at the rally signaled bipartisan concern over the ethical implications of the proposed amendment.

Also at the rally was a human rights lawyer, Garifalia Milousis. Lia, as she is called, spoke about how teens going through a difficult time could find themselves euthanized today, considering that the only reason many teens do not is because they have no certain way of killing themselves. However, with the proposed amendment, Lia warned that this barrier would be removed, potentially leading to tragic consequences. Urging action, she called on attendees to contact the government to voice their concerns.

RAIR Foundation spoke with Lia after the event to delve a little deeper into her story, as well as the legal aspects of euthanizing someone who may, in fact, not have the legal capacity to consent to a legal contract, let alone their own death.

Debbie Duval, the Ottawa representative of Campaign Life Coalition, also addressed the gathering. Campaign Life Coalition is the organizer of the largest pro-life rally held annually in May in Ottawa, attracting crowds ranging from 5000 to 15000 people each year.

LifeSiteNews elaborates on the issue in their press release:

In January, after significant pushback from pro-life, medical, and mental health groups, as well as most of Canada’s provinces, the federal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delayed its planned expansion of MAiD to those solely suffering from mental illness from March of this year until 2027.

Shortly after, Liberal Health Minister Mark Holland announced that the Trudeau government still intends to expand euthanasia to mentally ill Canadians, despite provincial health ministers requesting the measure be ‘indefinitely’ postponed.

The provision, if and when implemented, will relax legislation around so-called MAiD to include those suffering solely from mental illness. This is a result of the 2021 passage of Bill C-7, which allowed the chronically ill – not just the terminally ill – to qualify for so-called doctor-assisted death.

However, many experts have warned against the MAiD expansion, including leading Canadian psychiatrist Dr. K. Sonu Gaind, who testified  that the expansion of MAiD ‘is not so much a slippery slope as a runaway train.’

Dr. Saba, a physician from Montreal, also spoke at the event.

Dr. Saba addressed the discriminatory nature of these MAiD laws, highlighting their lack of compassion. He also explained that the Senate was set to debate on that day whether to delay the addition of the mentally ill to the MAiD law for three years. However, Dr. Saba advocated for the measure not to happen at all.

Lastly, Colin Postma outlined the “slippery slope” of expanding the program to include state-sanctioned killing of people for various reasons.

RAIR Foundation interviewed Colin after the event and asked him a few questions. Colin explained that the Senate is currently debating Bill C-62, which delays the expansion of euthanasia to people with mental illness until 2027. Colin also provided a timeline of the entire process of legalizing euthanasia in Canada, highlighting the urgency of the issue.

As the debate rages on, attention turns to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has pledged to revoke the expansion of euthanasia to the mentally ill should his party come into power. CLC urged concerned Canadians to hold Poilievre accountable to his promise, emphasizing the need for decisive action to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

The rally held on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024, not only served as a potent expression of dissent against the left’s proposed expansion of euthanasia laws in Canada but also underscored a deep-seated concern over the trajectory of societal values regarding the sanctity of life. The CLC articulated a grim outlook, warning that yielding to the demands of euthanasia advocates could inexorably lead Canada down a path already trodden by countries like the Netherlands and Switzerland. In these nations, the boundaries defining those eligible for euthanasia have alarmingly widened, diluting once-stringent guidelines and safeguards to the point of obsolescence.

The phenomenon of “termination without request or consent” exemplifies the stark reality of a slippery slope turned precipice, where the sanctity of life is compromised under the guise of autonomy and relief. The contention posits that if euthanasia is deemed a viable solution for one issue, it could ostensibly be justified for a multitude of others, thereby expanding the “killable” category to disturbingly broad dimensions.

This debate transcends mere policy discourse, touching on profound ethical, moral, and spiritual concerns. The notion of a “duty to die,” driven by perceived burdensomeness or economic cost, starkly highlights the societal failure to protect and cherish its most vulnerable members. It raises the specter of an environment where the elderly, ill, and disabled might feel compelled to seek euthanasia, not out of a genuine desire for death, but out of a misplaced sense of obligation to alleviate the burden on their families or the healthcare system.

Moreover, the CLC brings to light the spiritual dimensions of this issue, invoking the fundamental tenet of many faiths that uphold the sanctity of life. The act of euthanasia or assisted suicide, when viewed through the lens of faith, is not merely a legal or personal decision but a moral and spiritual transgression with eternal implications.

The protests on Parliament Hill and the ensuing discourse serve as a critical juncture in Canada’s societal and moral fabric. The call to action is clear: society must reevaluate its approach to euthanasia, ensuring that compassion, dignity, and the sanctity of life are paramount. The debate over euthanasia and assisted suicide is not merely about the legality of dying but about the ethics of living, the definition of compassion, and the depth of our collective humanity.