Health Minister Mark Holland recently discussed the reservations held by some of his provincial counterparts regarding the readiness of Canada to extend medical assistance in dying to individuals with severe mental illnesses. The feedback was shared at a Liberal cabinet retreat just a few weeks before the federal government must determine whether to proceed with implementation or delay it for a second time.
Although medical assistance in dying has been legalized in Canada since 2016, those with a sole underlying condition of a mental disorder are presently ineligible. Parliament has approved plans to remove that restriction but chose to delay until March to address widespread concerns about potential consequences. A joint committee of parliamentarians has been examining if the health-care system is prepared for this change, and the findings are expected to be released next week.
Mr. Holland believes it’s prudent to wait for the recommendations of the committee but acknowledges that prompt action will be necessary afterward. The government is in a critical phase and must evaluate the readiness and implications of extending medical assistance in dying to those with severe mental illnesses.