Canada suspends plans to expand assisted dying to people with mental illness
The Canadian government has indefinitely suspended plans to expand its medically assisted dying program to individuals whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. Officials cited a lack of consensus on eligibility, though they are introducing new legislation to allow for advanced consent in cases of incurable, progressing illnesses.
Why it matters
This decision highlights the complex ethical and legal tensions between protecting vulnerable populations and upholding individual rights regarding end-of-life care.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Nadine Yousif Senior Canada reporter Reuters Minister of Justice Sean Fraser also announced plans to allow for advanced consent to the programme Canada says it will indefinitely suspend plans to expand its medically assisted dying law to people whose sole condition is mental illness, citing a lack of consensus on who would be eligible.
It comes after a parliamentary panel earlier this year recommended that medically assisted dying - known as Maid in Canada - should not be expanded.
On Wednesday, Canada's justice minister, Sean Fraser, said that "while there is not a perfect consensus on this issue, we believe this is the correct approach at this particular time".
Supporters of extending the programme to those with mental illness alone argue that not doing so violates their constitutional rights and access to medical care.
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