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Gaslighting Groups
Manipulating the Masses I Bill Vassilopoulos
8/19/20262 min read
Gaslighting Groups:
Manipulating the Masses I Bill Vassilopoulos
In the old days, a good salesperson just needed a foot in the door to sell you anything they wanted. All it took was catching a homeowner off guard the moment they opened the door. Wise homeowners knew the tactic and learned to slam the door shut with a quick, "No, thank you!"
Today, Canada seems to have found its own way to recruit more "customers"—this time for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).
Recently, military veteran and advocate Kelsi Sheren brought attention to a concerning Change.org petition aimed at marginalized communities, including the LGBTQIA+ community. The petition pointed out that roughly 96% of MAiD recipients in Canada are white, privileged individuals. But rather than questioning why vulnerable people are seeking end-of-life options, the campaign framed this as a disparity—arguing that marginalized groups need greater access to MAiD if they are struggling with life. They called this "Increasing Equitable Access."
Folks, you truly cannot make this stuff up.
Falling Off the Cliff
This is plain manipulation of the masses. A country once world-renowned for having some of the kindest and most generous people is increasingly being viewed internationally as overly obsessed with offering state-sanctioned death to its most vulnerable citizens.
Even leading psychological and psychiatric voices in Canada have issued strong warnings regarding the proposed expansion of MAiD for mental illness. They have raised serious concerns about whether individuals experiencing acute mental health crises can truly provide informed consent—arguing that expanding eligibility under these conditions crosses a dangerous line.
This is no longer a slippery slope; we are falling face-first off the edge of a cliff.
A Desperate Need for a New Narrative
We urgently need a different narrative around healthcare and human value in Canada. Misinformation and fear are spreading rapidly. People now worry about being fast-tracked through "Track 2" (for those without a reasonably foreseeable natural death), fearing that administrative safeguards are eroding—or worrying about how financial distress, housing insecurity, and vulnerability are driving people toward end-of-life options rather than real support.
We need to act. Please call your Member of Parliament (MP). Tell them that Canada’s healthcare framework must prioritize living supports, suicide prevention, and robust guardrails to protect vulnerable people.
Every Life Holds Sacred Value
In my book, Eyes Above the Water, I touched on MAiD through firsthand interviews, capturing what everyday people across different sectors think and feel about where our country is heading.
If you are struggling right now, please let me remind you of something vital that you may need to hear today:
You are irreplaceable.
You are unrepeatable.
You are deeply valued—and you are NOT a burden.
Warmly, your friend,
Bill