The justice minister has suggested a delay of the March 17 implementation date might be possible. That would give more time to try to stop this misguided expansion. (Why? See TheEFC.ca/HaltMAID.)
Please contact your MP in at least one way in the next 10 days to reach them before Parliament resumes Jan. 29.
Step 1: Find your MP’s contact info using your postal code, www.ourcommons.ca/members/en. This site has the MP’s email, address and phone numbers for the MP’s local constituency office and Ottawa office.
Step 2: Make contact with your MP in one of these ways:
- Call during office hours to leave a message with the MP’s staff
- Leave a voicemail outside of office hours
- Write an email or a letter.
For greater impact, contact your MP in more than one way. For example, leave a phone message and then follow up with a short email. Or send an email and follow up with a phone call.
Sample voicemail or phone conversation
Hi, my name is ________. I live on ______ street, in _______ community. Thank you for serving our community.
I’m calling because I’m really concerned about Medical Assistance in Dying for people with mental illness. This will put vulnerable people’s lives at risk. And it comes at a time when the health care system is under stress and people may have to wait months and years for treatment.
I’ve heard the Justice Minister is considering a delay of MAID for mental illness. I want to ask our MP to support a delay of MAID for mental illness.
Please let our MP know that I called.
Sample email/letter to personalize
Dear [MP’s name],
Thanks for your work for our community.
I am really concerned about Medical Assistance in Dying for people with mental illness.
(personal story of someone who might be affected)
This change will put vulnerable people at risk. It comes at a time when the health care system is under stress and there are long waiting lists for treatment.
I’ve heard the Justice Minister is considering a delay of MAID for mental illness. Please support a delay.
Sincerely,
[your name and address]
For more resources, including talking points and expert quotes on MAID for mental illness, see TheEFC.ca/HaltMAID.