Dear Friend,
Good news! Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for those suffering solely from mental illness has been put on hold…again.
In 2016, doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia was legalized in Canada, but only for consenting adults with terminal illnesses who were nearing the end of life.
Then in 2021, the
Criminal Code was further changed to allow doctors to end the lives of those who are not near death, but who have a disability or chronic illness that is physical in nature.
The law to expand the eligibility for MAiD to include people suffering from mental illness alone was
also passed in 2021. However, it was not to take effect until 2023 to give the government time to consider recommendations on protocols, guidance, and safeguards.
In 2023, the expansion was delayed again until March 17, 2024, because the government wanted a special parliamentary committee to assess whether our health care system is adequately prepared to handle MAiD requests from those with mental illness alone.
As you know, the EFC had asked the MPs and senators on the committee to recommend at least a delay to MAiD for mental illness, if not a complete halt. We had also urged you to pray with us and to reach out to your MPs. We are grateful for all who partnered with us in these ways.
The committee, after hearing “significant testimony” from stakeholders, concluded in its last report, released on January 29, 2024, that Canada’s medical system is
not ready to go ahead with this controversial expansion.
So now, the government is postponing the implementation of MAiD for those suffering solely from mental illness until March 2027.
While this is cause for celebration, the EFC is fighting for more than a pause to the expansion of MAiD to those with mental illness. We want the expansion to be removed altogether. So, even though we are all breathing a collective sigh of relief for now, our work is not finished!
You see, we don’t believe Canada will be “ready” to expand MAiD for those with mental illness alone at any time in the foreseeable future without putting many Canadians in harm’s way.
It is still not possible to determine whether a mental illness is incurable – to determine that an individual’s mental illness will never respond to treatments and supports – with an acceptable degree of certainty and objectivity. Unlike with a physical illness, the course of a mental illness over time is very unpredictable. As well, it is very difficult to determine whether a person who expresses a wish to die is doing so as a symptom of their mental illness. What a heavy burden to place on our mental health practitioners!
It should not be easier to get MAiD than to access mental health supports. Inability to access timely care, poverty, lack of adequate housing, and other unmet needs are considered to be major drivers of requests for MAiD by those suffering with mental illness. Many end up on long wait lists or can’t afford to pay for the supports and treatments that aren’t covered under Canada’s public health care plan.
Proper safeguards have not been built into the law to protect people making life and death decisions in moments of desperation and hopelessness. In Belgium and the Netherlands, doctors are not allowed to euthanize a patient if there are still treatments that have not yet been tried. But under Canada’s current MAiD law, a patient could qualify for doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia even if they refuse to try reasonable treatment.
Every human is created in the image of God (Gen 1:26, James 3:9) and is loved and honoured by God as His creature. Our lives have meaning and are precious to God. In God’s eyes, the taking of a life stands in direct opposition to the command to love our neighbour (Rom 13:9). True compassion lies in walking with those who are suffering and in sharing their burdens – caring for them, serving them, and improving their quality of life.
It is our duty to care for and protect those who are in vulnerable situations – those who are sick, who have disabilities, and who are elderly – and to offer supports to live, not hastened death. We must oppose laws that remove important protections and that lead members of our society to have their lives ended in times of vulnerability.
Thankfully, the temporary delay to expand MAiD to those with mental illness gives us a window of opportunity to continue our work to stop the expansion of MAID for those with mental illness as the sole condition. Would you please prayerfully
make a donation to support our continued efforts on the Hill?
Thank you!
Dr. David Guretzki
President & CEO