Ontario court denies Toronto woman’s motion to apply for MAID

An Ontario judge has denied a motion that would have allowed a woman who suffers solely from mental illness to apply for a medically assisted death, while insisting the Attorney General of Canada respond to a constitutional challenge launched by the same plaintiff two years ago. Claire Brosseau, a 49-year-old former actress and comedian who lives in Toronto, filed a motion in May seeking a constitutional exemption from a law that currently prevents people from applying for MAID on the basis of mental illness alone. Justice Carissima Mathen said although Brosseau’s evidence of decades of suffering is credible, the consequences of granting her an exemption from the law cannot be overlooked. Brosseau said Thursday’s decision forces her to continue suffering.