This news release deals with topics that may cause distress. If you or someone close to you needs support, we encourage you to reach out. Resources are available at canada.ca/mental-health.
Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a complex and deeply personal issue. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring our laws reflect Canadians' needs, protect those who may be vulnerable, and support autonomy and freedom of choice.
Today, legislation to extend by one year the temporary exclusion of eligibility for MAID where a person's sole medical condition is a mental illness (Bill C-39) received Royal Assent and immediately came into force. This means that persons suffering solely from a mental illness will be eligible for MAID as of March 17, 2024.
This one-year extension will provide additional time to prepare for the safe and consistent assessment and provision of MAID in all cases, including where the person's sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness. It will also allow time for the Government of Canada to fully consider the final report of the Special Joint Committee on MAID, tabled in Parliament on February 15, 2023.
In the meantime, the Government of Canada will continue to work closely with provinces, territories, and the health community to finalize and disseminate key resources. This extension will allow more time to ensure that MAID assessors and providers have the knowledge and tools necessary to appropriately assess requests for MAID from persons suffering solely from a mental illness.
