Social services

Bill C-218: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)

Bill C-218 — 45-1

Bill C-205: An Act to amend the National Housing Strategy Act

Bill C-205 — 45-1

Bill C-201: An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (mental, addictions and substance use health services)

Bill C-201 — 45-1

TOPIC INTRODUCTION: Bill C-205: National Housing Strategy

TOPIC INTRODUCTION: Bill C-201: Mental Health and Addictions

Bill C-2, the Mental Health and Addictions Act, seeks to overhaul Canada’s approach to mental health and addiction care by expanding access to treatment, improving coordination between services, and addressing systemic gaps. For Canadians, this issue is deeply personal and urgent, as mental health crises and addiction disorders affect millions, often compounded by barriers like funding shortages, fragmented care, and social determinants like housing and poverty.

TOPIC INTRODUCTION

Bill C-205, the National Housing Strategy, represents a federal effort to address Canada’s housing crisis, which affects millions through affordability, homelessness, and inadequate supply. The bill seeks to coordinate provincial, territorial, and federal policies to create a cohesive framework for housing reform. However, its success hinges on balancing competing priorities and addressing systemic challenges.

Key tensions:

Introduction: A Bill Born of Desperation

On June 20, 2025, MP Ms. Jansen introduced Bill C-218, a private member's bill seeking to amend the Criminal Code to explicitly exclude mental disorders as qualifying conditions for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). The bill's preamble frames it as a protective measure, prioritizing "mental health support" and "suicide prevention counselling" over what its proponents describe as the "normalization of assisted death as a mental health solution."

Topic Introduction: Post-Adoption/Guardianship Support for Child Welfare

This debate focuses on the crucial issue of post-adoption and guardianship support services in Canada, a topic that significantly impacts countless families and children nationwide. The wellbeing and success of adoptions and guardianships are heavily dependent on the availability of ongoing support for all parties involved. This includes emotional, financial, and practical resources to navigate challenges that may arise during the transition process and beyond.

Introduction: A Plan to Make a Plan

On September 18, 2025, a Private Member's Bill, C-227, titled the National Strategy on Housing for Young Canadians Act, was introduced in Parliament. The bill aims to address the acute housing crisis facing Canadians aged 17 to 34 by mandating a federal minister to develop a national strategy. This process involves consulting with provinces, municipalities, housing organizations, and young people themselves.

The Proposal: Indigenous Rights Without Housing Solutions

Bill C-205, introduced by Ms. Kwan (Vancouver East) as a private member's bill on June 10, 2025, seeks to strengthen the National Housing Strategy Act by embedding Indigenous rights and preventing encampment removals on federal land. The bill's seven sections mandate UNDRIP implementation, prohibit forced displacement of homeless encampments on federal property, and require Indigenous participation in housing program design and evaluation.