Private Member’s Bill C-218, currently at second reading in the Parliament of Canada, seeks to prevent the planned expansion—set for March 17, 2027—of eligibility for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to persons whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder.

In this context, a national awareness initiative has recently been launched. The Archdiocese of Toronto, in collaboration with the Office for Family and Life of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), is promoting the campaign “Help Not Harm.”

This campaign offers a simple and accessible online tool, available in both English and French. In just a few steps, individuals can automatically generate a letter addressed to their Member of Parliament, requesting support for Bill C-218. The letter can also be sent with copies to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice.

👉 The tool is available here: HelpNotHarmCanada.ca/english - Help Not Harm | Support Mental Health Recovery Today

The Permanent Council of the CCCB publicly endorsed Bill C-218 on February 4, 2026. In this spirit, the faithful are invited to consider participating in this campaign as a concrete, simple, and effective way to engage in the public conversation.

The campaign runs from March to mid-April 2026, ahead of the next parliamentary vote. It has been designed to be inclusive, avoiding explicitly religious language in order to encourage participation from a wide range of partners, including those in the mental health field and organizations supporting persons with disabilities.

Through this initiative, the faithful are invited to take a concrete step of solidarity and civic responsibility, contributing to an important reflection on care, accompaniment, and the dignity of every person.