Veterans need more help, not assistance in dying: Kamloops MP Caputo

KAMLOOPS — The Liberal federal government is attempting to delay the expansion of Canada’s assisted-dying laws to include people who have mental disorders.

Canadian veterans, some of whom have been offered assistance in dying, would be part of the legislation. However, the Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo says these veterans should be getting the help they need instead.

Frank Caputo says the idea came to him when he was Shadow Minister for Veteran Affairs. He was horrified to hear that soldiers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other after-effects from war were wanting a medically-assisted death.

“It was really horrible to hear that veterans, who had given their lives for this country, who really needed a hand, weren’t getting that hand. Instead, they were being counselled to take their own lives. To me, that’s unconscionable in a place like Canada. That’s unconscionable anywhere,” said Caputo.

The Liberals would need to amend the legislation when Parliament resumes in January.

Caputo says the issue comes down to the government not providing sufficient support for Canadian veterans so they aren’t resorting to taking their own lives.

“Veterans need all the help they can get. I know people say there have been cuts in the past. This isn’t the time to talk about that. This is the time where veterans need every single thing they can get,” noted Caputo. “I didn’t appreciate it as much as I wish I had until I got to Parliament. When you’re on the phone with somebody and you’re hearing about their difficulties in day-to-day living and what they’re going through, it’s something that just sticks with you and from then I said veterans need everything we can give them.”