Canada suspends plans to expand assisted dying to people with mental illness

Canada has indefinitely halted its plans to broaden its medically assisted dying law to encompass individuals whose primary condition is mental illness, according to the government. This decision stems from a parliamentary panel's recommendation against expanding the so-called "Maid" program. Justice Minister Sean Fraser affirmed, "While consensus remains elusive, we deem this the appropriate course of action."

Proponents of extending the program to those with mental illness alone claim that failure to do so infringes upon their constitutional rights and access to healthcare. A federal lawsuit continues to challenge the government's earlier decision to postpone access to Maid for individuals with mental illness alone. Consequently, Canadians whose sole condition is mental illness will be unable to avail themselves of assisted dying by March 2027, as originally intended.

Medically assisted dying has been lawful in Canada since 2016 for those suffering from terminal illnesses, though this remains the predominant category. In 2021, the law was broadened to allow for expansion to individuals with incurable conditions but without an imminent death, termed "track two" medically assisted dying. This expansion has been contentious, with disability advocacy groups reporting instances where assisted dying was provided to individuals with disabilities without their explicit consent.

Initially slated for 2023 expansion, the decision was postponed twice to allow for further examination of its implementation.