Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Rob Moore, Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice and the Attorney General of Canada, issued the following statement on the Liberals shutting-down debate on the expansion of medical assistance in dying (MAID) to those with mental illness:

“It is critical for a bill on a matter of life-or-death to receive a thorough review by Members of Parliament. This has not happened – instead the Liberals chose to shut-down debate on their plan to extend MAID to those whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. 

“At the final stage before becoming law, the Liberals dramatically expanded Bill C-7 to include mental illness, without Members of Parliament having the opportunity to hear from a single Canadian in a parliamentary committee. 

“We are disappointed that the Liberals did not listen to mental health advocates and other concerned Canadians, and chose to reject a Conservative amendment to remove the Liberals’ last-minute expansion of MAID to those with mental illness.

“The Liberals must allow for a range of witnesses to be heard from during the upcoming review process of Canada’s MAID legislation. Conservatives hope the Liberals will finally listen to Canadians about their concerns during this review.

“Canada’s Conservatives will participate constructively in the upcoming review, and will ensure vulnerable Canadians are part of this process and that their voices are heard.”

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For more information:

Office of the Hon. Rob Moore, P.C., M.P.
Sean.Joudry.254@parl.gc.ca
613-720-3175