A special joint committee of Canadian senators and MPs has recommended that the government indefinitely exclude individuals with mental illness as the sole underlying condition from medical assistance in dying (MAID). The report, tabled Wednesday, proposes amending the Criminal Code to prevent such individuals from accessing physician-assisted death.
Committee's Single Recommendation
The committee's sole recommendation states: “That the Government of Canada amend the Criminal Code to indefinitely exclude persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness from eligibility for medical assistance in dying.” This move aims to slow what some critics call a “runaway” MAID train.
John Ivison Comments on MAID Expansion
Columnist John Ivison argued that MAID was intended as a last resort, not death on demand. He noted that evidence suggests Canada is already getting it wrong, and the committee's recommendation, if adopted, would prevent the state from being obliged to help end lives that could be turned around.
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