Discussion · Government Orders
Costas Menegakis Conservative
“I support keeping mental illness out of medical assistance in dying, but I still have serious concerns. The government should focus on providing proper healthcare, housing, and social services instead of offering medically assisted dying as an easy way out.”
“Mr. Speaker, the hon. member’s question was very thoughtful. We welcome the exclusion of mental illness as the sole underlying condition, but serious questions still remain. That addresses the first part of the member’s question. On the second part, I think it is incumbent upon the government, and upon all of us as legislators, to ensure the proper health professionals, social services and housing, all of the issues that are important to fundamental dignity and life for all Canadians, are available to them. We need to focus on improving those services rather than having an easy out where someone can opt for MAID. We are playing with a very deep moral, ethical and, in some cases, religious issue here. It is much more important that we focus on providing adequate services to people rather than legislation such as this.”
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member’s question was very thoughtful. We welcome the exclusion of mental illness as the sole underlying condition, but serious questions still remain. That addresses the first part of the member’s question. On the second part, I think it is incumbent upon the government, and upon all of us as legislators, to ensure the proper health professionals, social services and housing, all of the issues that are important to fundamental dignity and life for all Canadians, are available to them. We need to focus on improving those services rather than having an easy out where someone can opt for MAID. We are playing with a very deep moral, ethical and, in some cases, religious issue here. It is much more important that we focus on providing adequate services to people rather than legislation such as this.