'Horrifying' that Veterans Affairs worker raised assisted suicide with troubled veteran, group says

The head of a group that supports Canadian veterans says he was horrified to hear medical assistance in dying was brought up with a veteran who reached out to Veterans Affairs Canada for help recently.

Officials with the federal department confirmed to CBC News that they have issued an apology directly to the veteran, and launched "a thorough internal investigation." 

"It's just horrifying," said Scott Maxwell, executive director of Wounded Warriors Canada. "A, how is that veteran and the family doing? And then B, what's the impact this will have on other veterans who might be in a similar state, wanting to pick up a phone, calling an agent or a case manager to seek care?

"If just one veteran does not make that phone call, we have ourselves a significant problem."

Maxwell said it's hard to comprehend how medical assistance in dying, or MAID, would have been suggested in a conversation between an employee of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and a veteran in need of help.

He welcomed word that an investigation is underway. 

He said the people involved in that investigation should be "identifying how that's even possible or remotely thought of — but obviously, above all, making sure that that veteran is receiving every opportunity for support that he or she needs … and then really following up and taking seriously this need for greater occupational awareness and cultural competency training across all VAC staff." 

In a statement, officials with Veterans Affairs said the department deeply regrets what transpired in the unnamed veteran's case, which led to a Global News report earlier this month. 

The statement said no evidence has been found of similar incidents happening, and they believe this to be an isolated event.

Providing advice pertaining to medical assistance in dying is not a VAC service. ​​​​​​— Statement from Veterans Affairs Canada

The statement went on to say: "Providing advice pertaining to medical assistance in dying is not a VAC service. VAC's case managers, veteran service agents, and veteran service team managers have no mandate or role to recommend medical assistance in dying to veteran clients."

More training promised

The department also said it would deliver additional training for all its frontline staff. 

Maxwell said the end goal of any such training should be to ensure all Veterans Affairs employees develop a deep understanding of what life is like for ill and injured veterans, serving members of the Canadian Forces, and first responders. 

"We know it could impact care," Maxwell said of the lack of such understanding. 

"We know at times it could exacerbate someone's injury further. I mean, this is really complex, real stuff that needs to be treated as such — and as you can see, as we're talking about today, we still have a long way to go."

MacAulay calls action 'unacceptable'

After the story broke, Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay posted a statement on social media calling the incident "completely unacceptable," adding: "I deeply regret the harm caused to this veteran and their family in a time of need." 

MacAulay is the MP for the Prince Edward Island riding of Cardigan, as well as the minister for Veterans Affairs Canada, which has been headquartered in Charlottetown since 1980. 

Dying With Dignity Canada is a national non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of dying, protecting end-of-life rights and helping Canadians avoid unwanted suffering.

The organization told CBC News in an email Wednesday that it believes everyone should have both the right to live and the right to choose the way in which they will end their life in the face of extreme pain. 

"There are strenuous criteria and safeguards for all MAID assessments and approvals," the email said. "MAID can be requested, and consented to, only by an individual. No one should be coerced to have MAID by another individual, including our veterans."

Maxwell said Wounded Warriors Canada has not heard directly from the veteran at the heart of the incident. However, he said he wants all veterans to know support is available at any time through groups like his, if the incident has left anyone uneasy about contacting Veterans Affairs staff. 

"Help is available," he said. 

'Culture of courage' can stand in the way

Owen Parkhouse of P.E.I. echoes that. He is a 25-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and a Royal Canadian Legion member, and has himself sought help for his mental health.

"It's very hard. It's probably one of the most difficult things that you ever have to do in life — especially someone that's served in the military. We're brought up in a culture of courage and going on at all costs and whatnot, so to reach out and say you need help is a very difficult thing to do," he said. "It's the biggest step that you can take." 

Parkhouse now works to help prevent suicide among veterans. He himself once called a help line when he was suicidal. That's when he realized that words matter — the person on the other end of the line suggested he go for a long walk. 

You may not see it now but you're important to your friends, you're important to your family, and there's a real loss if you go.— Owen Parkhouse

"The first thing that came to my mind was that expression 'a long walk off a short pier,'" he said.

Parkhouse said he believes most people in positions to help really do care, but need to be careful about what they say. He said it is important for VAC employees to understand about military culture, and treat everyone as people rather than numbers. 

With psychotherapy and medication available, Parkhouse said he thinks veterans can win their mental health battles. He own road to recovery has been long, but he said he found a new purpose in helping others. 

"You're not alone... you have brothers and sisters all around the country, all over the world that have gone through this and suffered the same way," he said. "The best people to talk to are your brothers and sisters in arms, the veterans that were there with you. They don't want you to go anywhere.

"You may not see it now, but you're important to your friends, you're important to your family, and there's a real loss if you go." 

Help line information:

• Anyone needing emotional support, crisis intervention or help with problem solving in P.E.I. can contact The Island Helpline at 1-800-218-2885 or the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566.
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service can be reached toll-free at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Chat: crisisservicescanada.ca