CanadaPolitics

if it was really about mental illness why does an untrained/non-medical parent have any input on the policy?

We live in a democracy, so said parents are required to give their input if they are to excise their democratic obligation, just like everyone else. I expect what you really mean is: Why is their input not being shaped by experts?

Perhaps they have not ever considered consulting an expert? Nobody is talking about the issue[1], so it is not like they are going to have someone say: "Hey, you know, you should talk to so-and-so who is an expert in this". What might seem obvious to you is not necessarily obvious to everyone.

[1] Correction: One person left a single comment about the issue, but as an off-topic reply in a forum thread where it has no relevance, leaving it to not be ever seen by anyone who needs to hear it. Nobody is talking about the issue where the so-called debate is actually taking place.