A timely warning in the latest newsletter of Canadian Physicians for Life.

Those are the closing words of a patient imploring his medical team to consider “that there is information not contained in (his) hospital chart.” He sketches the facts of his existence at the level of the human drama. He is “40 years married, with 4 children and 4 grandchildren... a professor... when you come into my room, you need to know the losses of my life...”

We are complex and, as Walt Whitman put it, “contain multitudes.”

At our most recent CPL Annual Conference, MP Andrew Lawton shared about his own story of surviving a suicide attempt and many years of depression. His own story, in addition to the many stories he is hearing from Canadians, helps animate his advocacy for Bill C-218. This private member’s bill, introduced by MP Tamara Jansen, would cancel the scheduled expansion of euthanasia to those whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness.

One of our conference attendees recently informed me that he contacted his Liberal MP to discuss his support for the bill. The MP replied that he will not make up his mind until after the expansion has been studied. It is likely that many MPs are taking the same stance, so it is important to let them know that this the expansion is a significant concern.

This issue moves front and centre as a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons has been struck to undertake a comprehensive review relating to the eligibility of persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness to receive medical assistance in dying.The timing of this review makes it important for MPs to hear from you. Please take five minutes to contact your MP to explain why you oppose MAiD for mental illness.