Federal government wants to delay extending MAID to those with mental health issue

Feb 2, 2023 | 10:20 AM

Medicine Hat, AB–Ottawa is delaying extending medical assist in dying (MAID) to those solely suffering from mental health issues until March, 17th, 2024.

Under current MAID law, persons suffering solely from a mental illness who meet all eligibility criteria and for whom all applicable safeguards are met would be eligible for MAID as of March 17, 2023.

However, on Wednesday, the federal government introduced legislation to extend the temporary exclusion of eligibility for MAID by one year.

“There is no doubt that medical assistance in dying is a very complex and deeply personal issue. We strongly believe that the proposed one-year extension, until March 17, 2024, of the temporary exclusion of eligibility for persons whose sole medical condition is a mental illness will provide sufficient time to ensure our health care system protects those who may be vulnerable and support autonomy and freedom of choice, ” said The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

The government also believes the delay will allow time for consideration of the Special Joint Committee on MAID’s final report, expected in February 2023.

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Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said, “as MAID is a very personal and complex issue, the temporary extension would allow more time for regulators, clinicians, and others to better understand and implement guidelines and practices. This extension would play a crucial role in protecting the most vulnerable while supporting their autonomy, and ensuring assessors and providers are prepared and comfortable to support MAID for persons living with a mental illness, when it becomes available.”

The Government of Canada stated it will continue to work closely with provinces, territories, and the healthcare community to finalize and disseminate key resources. The main purpose of this proposed extension is to allow more time to ensure MAID assessors and providers are ready to assess requests for MAID for persons suffering solely from a mental illness in a safe and consistent manner across Canada by the time the proposed extension is over.

by Regan Tate

Federal government wants to delay extending MAID to those with mental health issue

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