Have you seen the EFC’s brochure,
Euthanasia in Canada? It’s getting attention on social media.
This brochure highlights some of our concerns with Canada’s MAiD laws, and with proposals for further expansions. If you look at the whole
brochure, it’s clear that the EFC opposes euthanasia and is concerned about planned and proposed expansions.
Many of the comments we’ve seen on social media have confirmed another of our concerns – that many Canadians are not aware of how the euthanasia law has already been expanded and that more changes have been proposed.
Here is some of the background information with links to sources.
The change to allow euthanasia on the basis of mental illness alone was passed in the
2021 bill that expanded MAiD to people who have a serious illness, disease or disability but whose ‘natural death isn’t reasonably foreseeable.’ People whose only medical condition is mental illness are not eligible for MAiD now, but
will be in March 2027, unless a bill is passed to delay or repeal the law.
The
EFC’s submission to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying outlines some of the reasons Canada should not go ahead with MAiD for mental illness.
According to the
Canadian Institute for Health Information, one in 10 Canadians wait more than 5 months for counselling services.
The
law on Track 2 MAiD, for people who are not otherwise dying, requires a 3 month assessment period from first assessment to the day their lives are ended via MAiD.
In terms of the information in the brochure on mature minors, the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying made recommendations on mature minors in its second report,
Medical Assistance in Dying: Choices for Canadians.
The committee recommended:
Recommendation 16: That the Government of Canada amend the eligibility criteria for MAID set out in the
Criminal Code to include minors deemed to have the requisite decision-making capacity upon assessment.
Recommendation 17: That the Government of Canada restrict MAID for mature minors to those whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable.
Recommendation 19: That the Government of Canada establish a requirement that, where appropriate, the parents or guardians of a mature minor be consulted in the course of the assessment process for MAID, but that the will of a minor who is found to have the requisite decision-making capacity ultimately take priority.
The committee’s recommendations are not binding on the government. There is no legislation to make mature minors eligible yet, but it has been raised and is being promoted by some groups. The EFC is very concerned that this has been proposed by a parliamentary committee.
Just to note, in its country review of Canada this spring, the
UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recommended that Canada reverse the expansion of MAiD on the basis of mental illness and not expand eligibility to mature minors.
The EFC encourages Canadians concerned about this to
contact their MP. Ask your MP to repeal the law allowing MAiD on the basis of mental illness and to oppose further expansion of the euthanasia law. Remember to be respectful and gracious.
It will take all of us working together to bring about changes to the law. Share your concerns – and this information – with family and friends.