medical aid in dying

Minister of Health Mark Holland listens to a question from a reporter during a news conference, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘Deeper conversation’ needed on assisted dying, mental health: Holland

‘Paths out of darkness’ need to be fully tapped before assisted dying an option for mentally ill

 

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland makes an announcement in Calgary on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

Assisted dying for mental illness unlikely until at least 2027 in Canada

Health Minister Mark Holland introduced legislation to postpone the government’s planned expansion

 

Health Minister Mark Holland speaks to the media during the federal cabinet retreat in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Most provinces and territories are asking the federal government to “indefinitely pause” expanding the eligibility for assisted death. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

B.C. joins call for pause in assisted dying eligibility expansion

Most provinces and territories sign letter asking federal government for more time to prepare

 

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland listens to a question from a reporter during a news conference, Tuesday, December 12, 2023 in Ottawa. Some lawyers are pushing their national advocacy organization to withdraw its support of expanding medical assistance in dying to those suffering solely from a mental disorder. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada not ready to expand assisted dying, health minister says

Deadline to add those whose only medical condition is a mental illness fast approaching

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland listens to a question from a reporter during a news conference, Tuesday, December 12, 2023 in Ottawa. Some lawyers are pushing their national advocacy organization to withdraw its support of expanding medical assistance in dying to those suffering solely from a mental disorder. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Former justice minister David Lametti says he wouldn't be afraid of moving ahead with the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those whose sole reason for wanting it is mental illness. Lametti arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Lametti ‘wouldn’t be afraid’ of pending update to Canada’s assisted dying eligibility

Lametti was ousted from cabinet last summer and is leaving political life

Former justice minister David Lametti says he wouldn't be afraid of moving ahead with the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those whose sole reason for wanting it is mental illness. Lametti arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Sen. Stan Kutcher speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Kutcher, who challenged the exclusion of people with mental disorders as their sole underlying condition from seeking a medically assisted death, says the federal government must decide whether it will “allow all Canadians” their choice of end-of-life care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Mental health decision looms for Canada’s assisted dying law

Liberal government paused law expansion over widespread concerns about possible consequences

Sen. Stan Kutcher speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Kutcher, who challenged the exclusion of people with mental disorders as their sole underlying condition from seeking a medically assisted death, says the federal government must decide whether it will “allow all Canadians” their choice of end-of-life care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Laurel Walker smiles in an undated handout photo. Walker says she wants a stop to the planned expansion of medical assistance in dying for people with a mental illness because funding should instead be put into providing treatment, which is inaccessible for so many people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Laurel Walker

Critics caution against plan to expand MAID to those with mental illness

Some say there isn’t enough evidence to show people can’t recover from mental illness

Laurel Walker smiles in an undated handout photo. Walker says she wants a stop to the planned expansion of medical assistance in dying for people with a mental illness because funding should instead be put into providing treatment, which is inaccessible for so many people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Laurel Walker
The federal government is considering whether to pause its plan to broaden the rules that govern medically assisted dying to include patients whose only underlying condition is a mental disorder, says Justice Minister Arif Virani. Virani takes part in an interview in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada pondering another pause on assisted dying expansion

Minister says officials weighing options on push to open program to those with mental illness

The federal government is considering whether to pause its plan to broaden the rules that govern medically assisted dying to include patients whose only underlying condition is a mental disorder, says Justice Minister Arif Virani. Virani takes part in an interview in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The emergency department entrance to St. Paul’s hospital in downtown Vancouver, B.C. Thursday, March 19, 2020. The British Columbia government has announced a workaround to help those who want to use medical assistance in dying while they are being treated St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Workaround found for religious ban on assistance in dying at B.C. hospital

Vancouver Coastal Health will set up a clinical space adjacent to Vancouver’s St. Paul’s hospital

The emergency department entrance to St. Paul’s hospital in downtown Vancouver, B.C. Thursday, March 19, 2020. The British Columbia government has announced a workaround to help those who want to use medical assistance in dying while they are being treated St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Demand for MAID is growing across the country but, like many provinces, Ontario does not have a mechanism for nurse practitioners to take on independent work and be paid for it. A patient has his hand held, in Minneapolis, Monday, May 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS-David Joles-Star Tribune via AP

Medical assistance in dying demand outpacing Canada’s ability to keep up

Some nurse practitioners in Canada not being paid for administering MAID

Demand for MAID is growing across the country but, like many provinces, Ontario does not have a mechanism for nurse practitioners to take on independent work and be paid for it. A patient has his hand held, in Minneapolis, Monday, May 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS-David Joles-Star Tribune via AP
A Health Canada report says 63 per cent of people who received MAID last year had cancer and 19 per cent had heart conditions. (Stock photo)

Medically assisted deaths up 31 per cent in Canada

Report shows steady growth has continued across the country since practice made legal in 2016

A Health Canada report says 63 per cent of people who received MAID last year had cancer and 19 per cent had heart conditions. (Stock photo)
Donna Duncan was approved for medical assistance in death, despite objections from her family and her longtime doctor. (Facebook/Special to The News)

Lower Mainland daughters continue fight for answers in mother’s MAID death

They say Donna Duncan suffered depression, but was not terminally ill

Donna Duncan was approved for medical assistance in death, despite objections from her family and her longtime doctor. (Facebook/Special to The News)
Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti speaks during a news conference, Thursday, February 2, 2023 in Ottawa.  THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Committee studying assisted dying calls for more engagement from government

Improved access to palliative care, more financial support for people with disabilities called for

Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti speaks during a news conference, Thursday, February 2, 2023 in Ottawa.  THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti and Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, hold a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberals table bill delaying medically assisted dying expansion to March 2024

‘We want to be sure, we want to be safe, we want everybody to be on the same page’

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti and Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, hold a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Bonita and Don Findlay pictured on a trip in Italy in 2005. (Photo: Anna Burns)

B.C. widow grateful MAID allowed her husband to die with dignity, compassion

Woman recalls experience as changes loom over who can access medically assisted death

Bonita and Don Findlay pictured on a trip in Italy in 2005. (Photo: Anna Burns)
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Experts clash on whether medically assisted dying system ready for expansion by March

Despite panel determining proper safeguards in place, federal government intends further delay

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti and Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, hold a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberal government seeking delay to expanding medically assisted dying program

Justice minister: ‘those working in the health-care system say that more time is needed’

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti and Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, hold a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
CF-18 Hornets perform a flypast at the National War Memorial during the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Veterans’ cases raise fresh concerns about expanding assisted dying law

Criteria for MAID is set to expand in March to include those living with mental-health conditions

CF-18 Hornets perform a flypast at the National War Memorial during the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Association of Chairs of Psychiatry in Canada says important, unresolved issues exist in the pending expansion of medical assistance in dying for people with a mental disorder. (The Canadian Press)

Canada should pause MAID for people with mental disorders: psychiatrists

Clear standards, public education are unresolved issues: national association

The Association of Chairs of Psychiatry in Canada says important, unresolved issues exist in the pending expansion of medical assistance in dying for people with a mental disorder. (The Canadian Press)
Assisted-suicide supporters wait outside the B.C. Court of Appeal before the court overturned a lower court ruling that said Canada's assisted-suicide ban violated the charter rights of gravely ill Canadians, in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday October 10, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Opposition mounts to forced transfers of medically assisted death seekers in B.C.

Transfers happen when a patient is treated in a facility that forbids medical assistance in dying

Assisted-suicide supporters wait outside the B.C. Court of Appeal before the court overturned a lower court ruling that said Canada's assisted-suicide ban violated the charter rights of gravely ill Canadians, in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday October 10, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck