Cardinal Leo Writes to Prime Minister, MPs – “I ask you to choose life…”
On April 20, 2026, Cardinal Leo wrote to Prime Minister Carney and all federal Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Archdiocese of Toronto asking for their support of Bill C-218 and decrying the rapid expansion of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. Bill C-218 is a private members’ bill currently before Parliament that would amend the Criminal Code to prevent Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) from being provided when mental illness is the sole underlying condition. Without this change, MAiD will be available for those suffering from mental illness alone beginning in March 2027.
The letters from His Eminence are closely aligned with the Help Not Harm campaign currently underway in the archdiocese and throughout Canada. Catholics are asked to contact their Member of Parliament by clicking here and asking them to support Bill C-218. The entire process takes less than three minutes. A vote on the legislation is expected by late May or early June 2026.
- Download Cardinal Leo's letter to the Prime Minister (also found below)
- Download Cardinal Leo's letter to Members of Parliament in the Archdiocese of Toronto
- Write to your Member of Parliament by visiting www.helpnotharmcanada.ca
Together, let us foster a culture of life, care and compassion for all.
The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Sent via e-mail
20 April 2026
Dear Prime Minister,
I am mindful of the many sacrifices made to lead our country. Know of my prayers for you and your family. As the Archbishop of Toronto, providing spiritual leadership for close to two million Catholics, I write to you keenly aware of our collective obligation to safeguard the dignity of every human life and to serve the common good.
As you know, our Catholic faith opposes the taking of any human life and it is with great disappointment and anguish that we have seen our country expand Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) at a rapid and alarming rate since legislation was passed in 2016, despite the commitments made and the safeguards promised. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are indeed contrary to the dignity of the human person.
You are certainly aware that many Canadians are increasingly troubled by the speed and scope of these developments, and by the inevitable harmful effects on vulnerable individuals who may feel pressure — whether subtle or overt — during moments of profound suffering, isolation, or despair, to seek assisted death.
A society is rightly judged by how it cares for its most vulnerable members. There is growing anxiety that the normalization and expansion of assisted suicide risks undermining a culture of compassion, weakening investments in palliative support, and diminishing the collective commitment to accompany those suffering.
Before Parliament at present is a Private Members’ Bill, C-218 – An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Medical Assistance in Dying) that would restrict the expansion of MAiD for those whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. As Parliament considers Bill C-218, I respectfully urge you to allow a free vote among Members of Parliament within the Liberal Party of Canada. This legislation raises profound questions of conscience that transcend partisan alignment and touch on deeply held moral, ethical, and spiritual convictions. I ask you to choose life and not death; to help build a civilization that cares for those suffering and does not eliminate them, but instead surrounds them with dignity, compassion, and love.
I would also urge you and the Minister of Justice to consider measures that restrict any further expansion of assisted suicide in our country and instead prioritize investments in palliative care, mental health support and resources for those who are increasingly marginalized and isolated, especially seniors and Canadians living with disabilities.
I remain available to speak with you directly on this or any other matter in the days ahead and reiterate my prayers for you and for all who serve in public office. May you be guided by wisdom, courage, and a steadfast commitment to the common good.
Yours Sincerely,
Frank Cardinal Leo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto
cc. Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada
