Bill C-39: Mental Illness and Euthanasia


Status: Passed the House of Commons, passed the Senate, received Royal Assent, and is now law

Description: Delays the expansion of eligibility for euthanasia to those with mental illnesses until March 17, 2024. Bill C-7, the last piece of euthanasia legislation, has a sunset clause that would allow those with mental illnesses to be eligible for euthanasia. Due to significant opposition to this proposal, the government is delaying the implementation of this clause by another year.

Analysis: It is incomprehensible that our society provides suicide prevention to one class of citizens and assisted suicide to another class of citizens. The extension of assisted suicide to those with mental illness effectively means that assisted suicide is a perfectly legitimate solution to suicidal ideation. Instead of offering assisted suicide to those with mental illnesses, we need to provide better mental health care and support to those who are suffering.

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