Canada to table bill permanently banning MAID for mental illness alone
The Liberal government will introduce legislation that permanently bars people whose sole condition is a mental illness from accessing medical assistance in dying.
On Tuesday, the Liberal government is set to table a bill that permanently excludes individuals whose only qualifying condition is a mental illness from receiving medical assistance in dying (MAID). The legislation, slated for notice on Friday, also introduces provisions for advance MAID requests, allowing patients to consent while still competent, with implementation left to provincial discretion. Quebec has permitted advance requests since 2024, whereas Alberta has prohibited them.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser highlighted the need for these changes, while groups such as Dementia Justice Canada called for mandatory independent legal advice before signing an advance request. A parliamentary committee previously recommended a permanent ban, citing uncertainty in predicting mental illness outcomes and concerns about suicide prevention. The bill is expected to spark intense debate among MPs, advocates, and critics.
Why it matters
It determines whether Canadians with mental illness can seek assisted death and sets new rules for advance consent.
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