Criminal Code  moved that Bill C-62, an act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), No. 2, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak today about Bill C-62. This is a sensitive and very perso

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I will acknowledge that there are many different opinions that have been shared on this view by many different experts. As a matter of fact, some of the members of the special joint committee are going to be participating in the debate we are having tonight. We ha

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, this is why we have put a set timeline on this. We took the expert panel recommendations. There were 19 recommendations in that report, which included system readiness and a comprehensive set of modules for MAID assessors across the country to be able to do this wo

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, my colleague and I are in lockstep in understanding how important a robust and integrated set of mental health services and substance-use services are. They must be available within health jurisdictions throughout the country. That is exactly why last year we commi

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I will remind the member that we cannot speculate on treatment. Treatment is something that a patient decides with their health care provider. There is a lengthy process of assessments that are done for those who struggle with mental illness. That being said, the

Health  Mr. Speaker, we all know the member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill to be a strong advocate for women's health. My message to new parents who might be struggling is this: They do not have to carry this burden alone. I want to thank the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collabo

Health  Mr. Speaker, the member is such a tremendous advocate on so many issues that matter to Canadians. Black communities across Canada continue to experience social and economic inequities, which have persisted for far too long and have negative impacts on people's mental health. We k

Health  Mr. Speaker, every health care worker in this country deserves to be safe in their place of work. That is why this government passed legislation exactly for that reason. I, too, am concerned about the reports and expect the B.C. government to take the necessary actions to addre

Health  Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives want to sow fear and stigma, on this side of the House we know that we have to stick to the facts. The RCMP says that there is no evidence to suggest that widespread diversion of drugs from prescribed alternatives is happening. However, presc

Public Safety  Mr. Speaker, what the member chooses to ignore, or not listen to, is that law enforcement also says it has been crystal clear. Fentanyl is driving the crisis, and too many Canadians are dying as a result of it. People are dying alone, and the Conservatives are only concerned abou

Mental Health and Addictions  Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we answered the call of the B.C. government when it requested the exemption on decriminalization of personal possession of certain illicit drugs. However, what is driving this overdose crisis is the illegal drugs supply. Every life lost is

Mental Health and Addictions  Mr. Speaker, too many Canadians are dying every day from an ever-changing, illegal toxic drug supply. The opposition leader and members of the Conservative Party talk a big talk about investing in treatment, but Conservatives cut two-thirds of the drug treatment fund when they we

Mental Health and Addictions  Mr. Speaker, the opposition does not want to implement the plans or the tools that are needed to save lives because its members do not have a plan. All they offer Canadians are slogans and fear. Slogans are not an evidence-based strategy. They are just words. We have a full sui

Mental Health and Addictions  Mr. Speaker, every life lost to the illegal toxic drug supply, every overdose and every family experiencing the loss of a loved one, is a tragedy. Our focus working with the B.C. government on its exemption request is on saving lives and providing health care. Harm reduction is

Mental Health and Addictions  Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are committed to saving lives and to making sure people who use drugs do not die alone. We moved forward with a decriminalization pilot project at B.C.'s request and have always maintained it would be rigorously monitored and adjusted a