A Canadian shared a letter with us and has given us permission to share it with you. We've removed identifying details due to an incomplete legal proceeding involved with this story.
MP Ed Fast is the person who proposed Bill C-314, intended to roll back the expansion of assisted death for reasons of medical illness alone.
Dear Ed Fast and [author's MP],
I support Bill C-314. I oppose medical assistance in dying (MAID) when mental illness is the only medical condition. MAID must not be available to individuals suffering from mental illness alone.
I sent [author's MP] a postcard stating my objections to the expanding legislation and requested a phone call with [author's MP] twice to share my personal experience and received no response.
I would like to share my personal experience that has led to my conclusion that MAID must not be extended to include mental illness.
In 2022 I became the victim of a scam. I thought I had lost everything and reached the lowest point in my life.
I thought I had lost everything and reached the lowest point in my life.
With my mental health at an all time low, for the first time in my life I considered suicide and even looked into MAID, but at that time I was not eligible.
I fear to think what I might have done had MAID been available to me based on the diagnosis of mental illness alone.
Fortunately due to the unwavering support of family and friends, my life is nearly back to normal just a year and a half later.
I am no longer suicidal, my losses are before the court and looking positive for recovery, and my mental health is once again restored.
Please be my voice in Parliament. People who are feeling hopeless and cannot see a way out of their dark circumstances must be given resources to help them recover before they are given resources to end their life.
Sincerely, [name removed for privacy due to ongoing court proceedings]