Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser has announced that the Liberal government will reveal its upcoming path forward regarding medical assistance in dying on Wednesday. The federal administration has faced mounting decisions following a special parliamentary committee report released in June, which strongly recommended indefinitely excluding individuals whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness from applying for MAID. Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, Fraser expressed confidence that officials have gathered a diverse range of perspectives throughout the policy development process and are prepared to share the next steps. The federal government has previously postponed the expansion of MAID to include individuals whose sole affliction is mental illness, following a Superior Court of Quebec ruling that struck down the original 2016 legislation for being overly restrictive. Without further government intervention, the criteria are scheduled to automatically expand to cover mental illness in March of next year. The 88-page parliamentary report was published after lawmakers heard comprehensive testimony from numerous expert witnesses regarding whether Canada is adequately prepared from a clinical, regulatory, and health-systems standpoint. A recurring theme during the proceedings highlighted the pressing need for enhanced, more equitable access to proper mental health services across the country. Ultimately, the committee pointed to a stark divergence of perspectives on national readiness for this expansion. A private member’s bill currently sits before the House of Commons proposing the permanent exclusion of individuals suffering solely from mental illness. While Fraser did not clarify whether the government intends to back that existing bill or introduce fresh legislation, he acknowledged the gravity of the matter, thanking the public for their ongoing patience as officials work to organize the approach properly.
Source: cbc.ca
