A Toronto woman has filed a complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario about remarks made by Thunder Bay–Rainy River MP Dr. Marcus Powlowski regarding fentanyl in a medical assistance in dying report.
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A Toronto woman has filed a complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario about remarks made by federal MP Dr. Marcus Powlowski in a report on medical assistance in dying (MAID) and mental disorders.
The complainant, Claire Brosseau, 49, said she was “triggered” by Powlowski’s written supplementary opinion attached to a special joint committee report published in June. She said the doctor’s words were “irresponsible, thoughtless and dangerous.”
In the supplementary opinion, Powlowski wrote that “painless” and “readily available” options to end one’s life remain available “irrespective of MAID,” and cited “illicit narcotics like fentanyl” as an example. He also wrote that it is “arguably easier” for his teenage sons to access fentanyl in his hometown of Thunder Bay than it is for him to renew his Lipitor prescription.
Brosseau’s complaint argues that the statements identify and normalize a lethal means and create a foreseeable risk of harm to vulnerable readers. In her filing, she also referenced concerns about the medical accuracy of the account of opioid poisoning and said the comments interfere with professional standards for physicians.
Powlowski’s supplementary opinion discusses why an issue such as suicide prevention involves a balance between authorities intervening to prevent harm and personal autonomy. It also argues it is impossible to determine that a person’s mental illness is irremediable, as required by law, and raises issues about access to mental health services and social supports.
According to the complaint materials described, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario reviewed Brosseau’s submission and her correspondence with an investigator from the regulator. The college told her that Powlowski has until Oct. 22 to file a response before the matter is reviewed by a committee.
Brosseau said in an interview from bed in Toronto that she spends most of her days there. She said she is seeking a public statement from Powlowski and wants information included about what happens with a fentanyl overdose, describing that what she wants and what will happen are different.
In response, William Fassett, Powlowski’s chief of staff, said the Liberal MP had not received notification of the complaint and did not want to comment on it. The college said it could not confirm whether an investigation was underway because its complaints process is confidential.
Brosseau’s complaint sets out potential outcomes if the regulator proceeds, noting that complaints can lead to steps such as advice on improving practice or conduct, remedial self-study, orders to take specific courses, verbal cautions, or, where appropriate, referral to the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal.
The federal government also said Wednesday it will introduce legislation this fall that would bar people suffering solely from a mental illness from accessing medical assistance in dying.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, support is available 24-7 by calling or texting 988, Canada’s national suicide prevention helpline.
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