SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 161 - Feb/15/23

Mr. Sean Casey (Charlottetown, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 4:28:18 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-39

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for a balanced presentation on this issue. I think his concern about the availability of mental health services is entirely fair. However, I do take issue with one thing the member said, which is that he held open the possibility of medical assistance in dying being an option for someone with a treatable mental illness. That is not the legislation. The legislation limits the right to medical assistance in dying to those who have an irremediable condition. Therefore, the fear that someone with a treatable condition would be able to avail themselves of medical assistance in dying is one that will not materialize. As for the availability of mental health supports, the member would be well aware of the successful negotiation between the Government of Canada and the provinces for a substantial infusion of cash. This will absolutely increase the level of service available to Canadians with respect to mental health services.

161 words

Context: House Hansard - 161 - Feb/15/23

Mr. Sean Casey (Charlottetown, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 4:54:41 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-39

Mr. Speaker, it is most unfortunate that the hon. member decided to take such a partisan tack in his remarks for something that is as complex, sensitive and deeply personal as medical assistance in dying. He started by saying the Liberals have waited until the last minute. I guess he is unaware that the Carter decision suspended the implementation of the decision for a period of time while the Conservatives were in power, and they abjectly, repeatedly and continually refused to bring in amendments to the Criminal Code that were called for by the court. An election ended up intervening, and the Liberals were left to deal with that. The member serves on the veterans affairs committee and indicated that at the veterans affairs committee, we heard that a Veterans Affairs employee said to a veteran that they had done this for someone else and they could do it for that veteran. I can tell members that I am on the Veterans Affairs committee and that is not true. That testimony never came before the committee. That was put to the committee by the Conservatives based on something that was uncorroborated and not presented to the committee. It is most unfortunate.

201 words

Context: House Hansard - 161 - Feb/15/23

Mr. Sean Casey (Charlottetown, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 5:38:58 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-39

Madam Speaker, I have three questions for the hon. member. First, does she understand that someone who does not have the capacity to make a decision regarding MAID is ineligible for MAID? Second, does she understand that in order for someone to be eligible for MAID, they must be informed of available and appropriate means to relieve their suffering, including counselling services, mental health and disability support services, community services and palliative care, as well as being offered consultations with professionals who provide these services? Third, is she aware that in order for someone to be eligible for MAID, they and the practitioners must have discussed reasonable and available means to relieve the person's suffering and agree that the person has seriously considered those means?

126 words