The revelations offered to some Canadian veteransmedical help in dying as they sought assistance from the federal government, concerns grew over Ottawa’s willingness to allow the procedure on mental health grounds.

Instead, veterans’ groups are calling on Ottawa to increase access to mental health services for veterans, including addressing the long waits many endure when applying for ugly.

“Mental injuries can only be fatal if left untreated, unsupported and underfunded,” said Scott Maxwell, Wounded Warriors general manager. The organization runs mental health support programs for veterans and first responders.

“That is what our focus should be: resources, funding and investment in timely access to mental health care. »

While medical euthanasia was legalized for Canadians with physical injuries and illnesses in 2016, the criteria are set to be expanded to include people with mental health problems in March.

Although the plan has already sparked fears among psychiatrists across the country, who say Canada is not ready for such a move, Maxwell and others are also sounding the alarm about the potential impact on sick or injured former soldiers.

Testimonial from a veteran

Those concerns have surfaced in recent weeks after allegations surfaced that several 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 had been offered an assisted death during her five-year battle over a wheelchair ramp at her home.

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 was offered to the rest of the staff in the department.

The issue nonetheless raised fears about what will happen when the criteria for medical assistance when dying is expanded in March, especially as many veterans with mental and physical injuries continue to wait months or even years to receive government assistance.

These waiting times have persisted for years despite frustration, anger, and warnings from the veteran community, the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, the Auditor General of Canada, and others about the negative impact of these waiting times.

“My concern is that if treatments are available, we may offer people an opportunity to end their lives, but those treatments are more difficult to access than medically-assisted death,” Oliver Thorne, of the Veterans Transition Network, told the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs recently.

Despite government claims that a single staff member was responsible for offering medical assistance when dying as an option, Royal Canadian Legion Deputy Director of Veterans Services Carolyn Hughes said the allegations had fueled anger and long-standing fears in the community.

“Many veterans have been upset and re-traumatized by this situation,” she told the same committee. She cited the perception of some that the department’s strategy was to deny, delay and wait for veterans to die.

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

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