HELP Not Harm

You are invited to respectfully contact your Member of Parliament (MP), requesting their support of a Private Members' Bill (C-218, The Right to Recover Act - an act to amend the Criminal code -- Medical Assistance in Dying) currently before the Parliament of Canada. 

What is Bill C-218? Bill C-218 amends the Criminal Code to make it illegal to provide Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to individuals whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness. It recognizes the importance of Canadians to recover from mental illness and ensures help can be offered, not harm. 

WHY IT MATTERS: 

• Every life is precious. As Catholics, we believe in the sanctity of every human life, from the moment of conception to natural death. 
• A desire to die can be a symptom of illness. Suicidal thoughts are frequently part of mental illness itself, raising serious concerns about whether consent can ever be truly free and informed. 
• Mental illness is often treatable. Many mental health conditions improve over time with proper care, therapy, medication, and support. Recovery remains possible, even after long periods of suffering. 
• Gaps in mental health care remain unresolved. Long wait times, limited access to psychiatrists, and uneven mental health services mean some may seek to end their life due to system failure, not medical necessity. 
• There is an increased risk to vulnerable Canadians. Individuals navigating mental health challenges are more likely to experience poverty, trauma, isolation, disability, or lack of access to care-factors that may pressure individuals toward assisted suicide. 

What is a Private Members' Bill? 

A Private Members' Bill is a piece of legislation introduced in Parliament by a Member of Parliament (MP) or Senator who is not a Cabinet Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, or Speaker. These bills allow individual legislators to propose new laws, or amend existing ones, typically focusing on public policy issues. Bill C-218 has been introduced by the Conservative Party of Canada Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City, British Columbia, Tamara Jansen. 

To pass, this legislation will require support from more than one political party. We believe that many MPs are uncomfortable with the rapid expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in Canada and in particular, the possibility that MAID will be offered for those whose primary underlying condition is mental illness. We are asking MPs to vote their conscience, regardless of party affiliation. 

The difference in passing this Private Members' Bill could be just a few votes in the House of Commons. It is critical that constituents contact their Member of Parliament asking them to support Bill C-218. If the legislation does not pass, as of March 17, 2027, new laws will take effect to allow MAID for those whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. 

TAKE ACTION AT HelpNotHarmCanada.ca TODAY!
The Bill is scheduled for second reading in early April 2026 with a vote on the legislation expected by mid-April 2026. Please visit HelpNotHarmCanada.ca today where you can send an e-mail directly to your local Member of Parliament in less than 3 minutes. If the legislation does not pass, as of March 17, 2027, new laws will take effect to allow MAID for those whose sole underlying condition is mental illness.		Chances are, you know someone suffering from mental illness. In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness. It may be a relative, friend or colleague. As Catholics and Canadians, we have a responsibility to offer care, hope and protection NOT death for those close to us and those most vulnerable who are suffering.  Visit HelpNotHarmCanada.ca today and ask your MP to support Bill C-218.