In brief
Canada has indefinitely suspended its proposal to expand medically assisted dying to individuals whose sole condition is mental illness, following a parliamentary panel’s recommendation against the move. Justice Minister Sean Fraser noted the lack of consensus on eligibility and pledged to introduce new legislation allowing pre‑requested assisted dying for patients with progressive incurable illnesses. The decision means the planned March 2027 rollout will not occur, though court challenges over the delay continue. Supporters argue the exclusion infringes on constitutional rights, while critics emphasize the difficulty of ensuring informed consent in this context. Those impacted can seek help through the BBC Action Line or Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988.
Canada says it will indefinitely suspend plans to expand its medically assisted dying law to people whose sole condition is mental illness, citing a lack of consensus on who would be eligible.
After a parliamentary panel earlier this year recommended against expanding the program, Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced that the proposed changes would be put on hold.
Supporters argue that excluding people with mental illnesses violates their constitutional rights and limits access to healthcare, while critics caution that ensuring informed consent would be difficult.
Under the current law, assisted dying is available to those with terminal illnesses, and was broadened in 2021 to include people with incurable but non‑imminent conditions. The plan to add mental‑illness‑only cases has been postponed indefinitely and could be re‑evaluated in the future.
The government will introduce new legislation to allow patients with progressive incurable illnesses to pre‑request assisted dying before becoming physically unable to do so.
Legal challenges remain: a federal court case continues to question the earlier decision to delay access for people with mental illnesses.
Affected individuals can contact the BBC Action Line or, in Canada, dial 988 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline.
