Ottawa, ON – Michael Cooper, Conservative Shadow Minister for Democratic Reform, Stephen Ellis, Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, and Dominique Vien, Conservative Associate Shadow Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, released the following statement regarding the Liberal government’s plans to expand Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID):

“From the beginning, Conservatives have raised serious concerns about the risks posed to Canadians by the Liberal government’s flawed MAID legislation. Instead of listening to persons with disabilities and advocates for vulnerable Canadians, the Liberal government has sidestepped them at every turn and pushed their flawed legislation through the process with the help of their NDP-coalition partners.

“Yesterday, the heads of Psychiatry at all of Canada’s 17 medical schools called for a delay to the Liberal’s deeply flawed MAID legislation that will expand eligibility to those with mental disorders in March of next year.

“Literal life-or-death legislation deserves thorough review and consultation to ensure the most vulnerable people are protected.

“The Liberal government has failed to live up to its promises to fund a Canada Mental Health Transfer, despite it being in their election platform and the growing scale of the mental health crisis in Canada. The Liberal government continues to leave Canadians struggling with mental illness behind.

“Conservatives are calling for the Liberal government to delay this reckless expansion before it is too late. The well-being of far too many Canadians depends on this.”