VICTORY – RightNow welcomes Carney Liberal government’s plan to back down from euthanasia for those with mental health challenges

OTTAWA, ON (October 7, 2026) – Political pro-life organization RightNow welcomes the Carney Liberal government’s plan to back down from expanding the criteria for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to those whose sole underlying condition is mental health.

“This is a major victory for the pro-life movement and thus a major victory for Canada,” said Alissa Golob, co-founder of RightNow, a non-profit organization committed to nominating and electing pro-life candidates.

RightNow has worked to elect over 90 pro-life Members of Parliament over the past ten years, some of whom were instrumental on fighting the expansion of the criteria of assisted suicide, particularly to those whose sole underlying condition is mental health.

“This did not happen by accident,” Golob continued.“RightNow volunteers helped elect Tamara Jansen, Andrew Lawton and many other pro-life MPs who refused to stay silent as Canada moved toward making assisted suicide available to people suffering solely from mental illness,” said Golob. “They fought this in committee, in the House of Commons and in the court of public opinion. This victory belongs to every Canadian who refused to accept that suicide prevention should become suicide facilitation.”

We welcome the Carney government’s decision to reverse course on MAiD for mental illness,” said Scott Hayward, president and co-founder of RightNow. “But Parliament should still pass Bill C-218. Canadians deserve the certainty of knowing that this dangerous expansion will not simply be postponed again or revived by a future government.”

“We will be scrutinizing the government’s legislation very carefully,” Hayward continued. “Stopping MAiD for mental illness would be an enormous victory, but Canadians also need to know what the government intends to do on advance requests and other potential expansions of assisted suicide. We will judge this legislation by a simple standard: does it protect more vulnerable Canadians from euthanasia, or put more of them at risk? We potentially may request that the federal government split the proposed legislation so that issues such as advance directives are studied, reviewed, and voted on separately from not expanding criteria for MAiD for those whose sole underlying condition is mental health”

“Today proves that political engagement works,” said Hayward. “When Canadians organize and elect principled MPs who refuse to surrender on matters of life and death, governments can be forced to change course. RightNow will continue working with MPs and Senators from any political party who are prepared to protect vulnerable Canadians and stop the expansion of euthanasia.”

About RightNow:

RightNow is a not-for-profit organization committed to nominating and electing pro-life candidates along with educating and engaging pro-life Canadians on the political process. Regardless of faith, politics or background, RightNow works with people across the country to stand up for human rights for all human beings.

Media Contacts:

ALISSA GOLOB 587-435-0166
SCOTT HAYWARD 204-573-0296