MAID expansion for mental illness on hold

Health minister delays increased access to the program, says country isn’t ready

- TONDA MACCHARLE

OTTAWA Canada is not yet ready to expand eligibility for medically assisted death to people whose only condition is a mental illness, says federal Liberal Health Minister Mark Holland.

In a surprise move, Holland announced the federal government agreed with a joint parliamentary committee report released late Monday that concluded “the medical system in Canada is not prepared for medical assistance in dying where mental disorder is the sole underlying medical condition.”

The committee recommended medically assisted death should only be expanded when “it can be safely and adequately provided,” and urged the government to allow another parliamentary review of the system’s preparedness a year before such a fundamental change is enacted.

Holland’s decision puts the brakes on key policy that was slated to be legislated before March 17.

Holland said there will “never be a total consensus” on the need to expand MAID to those suffering from mental disorders.

But he said the Liberal government has not veered off its belief that people with a mental illness who have suffered “in an absolute state of mental torture and hell” should have the right to access medical assistance in dying.

However, the question now is “one of readiness,” he said.

He cited the committee report, opposition of provinces, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec, and evidence that shows health practitioners have not taken up the training necessary to ensure adequate safeguards are in place.