MP Tochor Introduces Bill Allowing New Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
Ottawa, ON – Today, Corey Tochor, Conservative Associate Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Nuclear), introduced ‘Thomas’ Bill’ to allow physicians to prescribe and facilitate psilocybin-assisted therapy. If passed, the legislation would permit psilocybin to be used as a controlled medical treatment for mental health conditions, including addiction, depression and PTSD. It would not legalize psilocybin for recreational use.
“Canadians and Veterans facing serious mental health or addiction challenges should be offered hope, rather than Medical Assistance in Dying,” said Tochor. “That’s why Conservatives believe they should have the freedom to access safe, medically supervised treatment options with appropriate safeguards. Doctors must be empowered to use every appropriate tool to support patients and their families.”
“After battling the symptoms of PTSD for 15 years, I was able to find peace through psilocybin therapy,” said retired Master Corporal Josh Veinotte, CD, a veterans advocate. “I fully support this bill and hope to see strong leadership and support from members of all political parties as it moves forward. Working together on this non-partisan issue, we have an opportunity to make vast improvements to the quality of life for all Canadians struggling with their mental health.”
Currently, doctors must apply through Health Canada’s Special Access Program to prescribe psilocybin, creating unnecessary barriers for patients seeking treatment. Alberta has already established a framework for regulated psilocybin-assisted medical therapy, recognizing growing clinical evidence of its benefits. Psilocybin-assisted treatment has also shown promise in assisting in palliative care.
“The clinical evidence for psilocybin-assisted therapy in palliative care is not emerging; it is established, and our legislation must catch up,” said TheraPsil clinical researcher Kamaya Lawrence. “Eighty per cent of terminal cancer patients found lasting relief from death anxiety after a single psilocybin session.”
“The federal government must ensure doctors have access to every tool possible to address Canada’s mental health and addictions crisis,” Tochor concluded. “Thomas’ Bill is a common-sense step to make that happen.”