Canada not ready for planned expansion of MAID to those with mental illness

Mental health experts’ testimony to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying not only suggests we are not ready for the March 2024 deadline, but it also raises the question of whether we ever could or should be.

If MAID is offered to people with mental illness, we can expect to see annual increases at rates similar to those we have seen with MAID for other groups of Canadians, writes Daniel Zekveld. Pexels photograph by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas

Opinion

BY DANIEL ZEKVELD

December 20, 2023

Should Canada permit euthanasia for people whose “sole underlying condition” is mental illness? In 2021, Parliament said yes, but it was not scheduled to come into effect until March 2023. In early 2023, Parliament voted to delay that until March 2024. As that deadline l...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy