June 1, 2026
TO: Provincial Presidents and Secretaries
CC: National Officers (for information), National Life Member Liaison
FROM: Jessie Parkinson, National Chairperson of Social Justice
Please forward this message to chairpersons of social justice.
Bill C-218
Bill C-218 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying) is once again on pause in the House of Commons. The private member’s bill seeks to permanently stop the scheduled 2027 expansion of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for mental disorders as the sole underlying condition. The bill has completed first reading and has received one hour of second reading debate. A second hour of debate, potentially before the vote to refer to a committee, was originally scheduled for April.
On May 6th, the prime minister reported he was awaiting a recommendation from a parliamentary committee before taking a position. The committee, consisting of 15 members of parliament (MPs) and senators, is studying whether Canada is prepared for the planned March 2027 expansion. The MP for Cloverdale–Langley City, who sponsored the bill, serves as the committee’s vice-chair.
The committee has been tasked with a comprehensive review focusing on
- Health care readiness—whether the provinces and territories have developed the necessary regulations, guidance and resources to address these complex requests.
- Whether mental illness can ever be considered truly “irremediable” (incurable).
- Social factors, such as whether individuals may seek MAiD because of inadequate housing, support systems or mental health services rather than the illness itself.
- Whether existing “Track 2” safeguards for those whose death is not reasonably foreseeable are sufficient for mental health cases. These safeguards require a 90-day waiting period and a requirement that one of two required assessors have expertise in the specific condition causing the person’s suffering.
These safeguards were implemented to ensure protection for individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions that are not terminal but cause intolerable and incurable suffering.
The committee had originally been scheduled to submit its final report and recommendations to Parliament by October 2nd. However, committee members have indicated the report will likely be submitted before the House adjourns for summer recess on June 19th.
Provincial chairpersons are encouraged to continue monitoring developments closely and share updates with diocesan and parish councils as appropriate. Members who have already expressed support for Bill C-218 through letters and petitions are encouraged to continue praying.
Bill C-260
Bill C-260 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying — protection against coercion), is a private member’s bill introduced by the MP for Sherwood Park–Fort Saskatchewan. The bill would create an offence, punishable on summary conviction, for every person who, being an officer or employee of the federal or provincial/territorial government, other than a medical practitioner or a registered nurse, including a nurse practitioner, initiates a discussion with a person about the availability of MAiD to that person if they
- are in a position of trust or authority towards that person by virtue of their profession; and
- know that the person has not specifically requested such a discussion with them.
The League, following the direction of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and several trusted advocacy groups, has not taken a position supporting this bill because medical professionals are excluded from its applicability. Testimonials have suggested that doctors and nurses are among the most likely to suggest MAiD to patients who have not initiated the discussion. Thus, the legislation in its current form excludes those most likely to offend.
Members are encouraged to monitor this bill. As of May 11th, the bill was awaiting scheduling for a second hour of debate at second reading. New information or changes to the bill may impact the League’s position in the future. While this remains the League’s official position, members are always free to support legislation as individuals when it aligns with their Catholic beliefs.
A League delegation, consisting of National President Betty Colaneri, Vice-President Glenda Carson, Chairperson of Service Madonna Clark and me, travelled to Ottawa on May 24th to present national resolutions to government officials. The Resolutions Brief includes resolutions adopted at the 2025 national convention, as well as resolutions from 2023 and 2024 that had not previously been presented. We look forward to receiving the resolutions your councils are developing and submitting for 2026!
Yours in faith and justice,
Jessie Parkinson
National Chairperson of Social Justice