Instead, veterans’ groups are calling on Ottawa to increase access to mental health services for military veterans, which includes ending it long delays during which many are forced to wait after seeking help.

“In the mental health field, injuries can only be fatal if left untreated and if those treatments are undersupported and underfunded,” said the director-general of Wounded Warriors, Scott Maxwell. This organization runs mental health support programs for veterans and first responders.

” It should go where we focus: resources, funding, and investment in timely access to mental health care. »

While medical assistance in dying was legalized in 2016 for Canadians suffering from injuries and physical illnesses, eligibility criteria are expected to be extended to people with mental illnesses in March next year.

Although this project has already raised concerns with several Canadian psychiatrists, who say the country is not prepared to make such a decision, Mr Maxwell and others are also raising alarms about the possible impact of this move on sick or injured former soldiers.

Discussed medical assistance in dying with several veterans by a ministry official

Those concerns have surfaced in recent weeks following allegations that several military veterans who have sought help from Veterans Affairs Canada over the past three years have instead received euthanasia advice.

They include retired corporal and Canadian Paralympian Christine Gauthier, who told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs last week that she was offered euthanasia to obtain a wheelchair ramp in her home during the fight she fought for five years.

The federal government accused a single Veterans Affairs worker, saying the manager was acting alone and her case was referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He also pointed out that training and coaching would be offered to other department staff.

However, this issue has raised fears of what will happen if eligibility requirements for dying medical assistance are expanded in March 2023, especially as many veterans suffering from mental and physical injuries continue to wait months or even years to seek assistance from the get federal government.

The treatments are available but the waiting time is too long

These delays have persisted for years despite frustration, anger and warnings from the veteran community, not to mention representations and comments from the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman and Auditor General of Canada, including the negative impact of these delays.

This is, among other things, the concern of Oliver Thorne, who Veteran Transition Networkwho testified before the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.

” I’m afraid that if treatments are available, we are giving people a way to end their lives, but those treatments are more difficult to access than medically-assisted death. »

Despite Government claims that only one staff member offered medical assistance when dying as an option, Royal Canadian Legion Deputy Director of Veterans Services Carolyn Hughes said the allegations had fueled anger and fear in the community.

“Many veterans were angry and re-traumatized by this situation,” she told the same committee. She spoke about perceptions by some of them that the department’s strategy is to deny service, delay and wait for veterans to die.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said the government is trying to strike the right balance between providing access to medical care when dying and protecting vulnerable Canadians, including veterans.