An Orthodox priest in Toronto has called on Canada's prime minister to stop the expansion of the euthanasia program

Priest Paul Tadros of Toronto has called on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to halt the planned expansion of the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program, which would allow euthanasia for people whose only medical condition is mental illness. A member of the clergy expressed grave concern for vulnerable populations and cited a lack of adequate mental health care.

According to OrthoChristian, Father Paul, rector of the Church of St. Silouan of Athos, sent an official letter on behalf of his parish. The document expresses “deep concern” about the expansion of MAiD criteria, which is currently scheduled to go into effect on March 17, 2027. The program, originally legalized in 2016 for terminally ill adults, has already been expanded in 2021, and the timeline for including mental illness on the grounds list has been repeatedly postponed.

In his appeal, Father Paul draws on years of experience with the parish’s Noble Joseph House Charity Mission in the Regent Park neighborhood. In seven years of operation, volunteers have assisted thousands of people facing hardships that fall under the new program criteria. The priest emphasizes that “a truly compassionate society is not measured by the effectiveness of assisted dying, but by faithfulness in accompanying those who suffer.”

The letter emphasizes that social factors such as loneliness, poverty, addictions and lack of support can decisively influence the decision to die. According to Fr. Paul, in cases of mental illness, the very desire for death is often a symptom of the illness, making it questionable whether informed consent can be obtained. The priest concluded the letter by urging the government to reconsider expansion plans and focus its efforts on strengthening systems of care that ensure the dignity and well-being of Canadians.