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Canada to announce next steps for medical assistance in dying
Canadian Justice Minister Sean Fraser is expected to announce the federal government's next steps regarding medical assistance in dying (MAID) this Wednesday. The decision will address whether the procedure can be extended to individuals whose sole medical condition is a mental illness.
This announcement follows a June recommendation from a parliamentary committee to 'indefinitely pause' the expansion of MAID to those with mental disorders. Since 2021, a temporary exclusion has been in place for patients whose only qualifying medical issue is mental illness.
The decision comes amid significant debate. Critics of the parliamentary committee have alleged bias, claiming that witnesses opposed to the expansion were prioritized while individuals living with mental illness were not invited to testify. Additionally, some psychiatrists have raised concerns regarding the ability of healthcare providers to determine if a mental disorder is irremediable and warned that inadequate access to mental health treatment could drive individuals toward MAID.
Entities
Government of Canada · Marjorie Michel · Ottawa · Sean Fraser
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Justice Minister Sean Fraser stated the government is nearly ready to reveal its decision on the next steps for medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada. www.lechodelarivenord.ca · www.lejournaldejoliette.ca · cheknews.ca
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The announcement regarding MAID is expected to be made in Ottawa on Wednesday at noon alongside Health Minister Marjorie Michel. cheknews.ca
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Psychiatrists expressed concern that individuals lacking access to proper mental health treatment might seek MAID. cheknews.ca
- [● 3 SOURCES] A parliamentary committee recommended in June that the government should 'indefinitely pause' the expansion of MAID to individuals with mental disorders. www.lechodelarivenord.ca · www.lejournaldejoliette.ca · cheknews.ca
- [● 2 SOURCES] A temporary exclusion has been in place since 2021 for individuals whose sole medical issue is mental illness. www.lechodelarivenord.ca · www.lejournaldejoliette.ca