Complaint filed to medical regulator over MP saying fentanyl ‘readily available’ in MAID report

A member of Parliament and doctor, Dr. Marcus Powlowski, is under scrutiny for comments suggesting illicit substances like fentanyl are a "painless" and "readily available" means to end one's life. The remarks were made in a report on medical assistance in dying and mental disorders, co-authored by Powlowski, and have prompted a complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

The complainant, Claire Brosseau, a 49-year-old woman seeking medical assistance for mental disorders, found Powlowski's words "irresponsible, thoughtless and dangerous." Powlowski argued that ending one's life remains "readily available" in Canada, and that illicit narcotics, such as fentanyl, are easier for teenagers to access than prescription medications.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is reviewing the complaint, but Powlowski's office declined to comment, and it remains unclear if an investigation is underway. Meanwhile, the federal government plans to introduce legislation this fall that would restrict access to medical assistance in dying for those with mental illnesses alone.