Liberals moves bill to delay MAID for people suffering from mental illness

Ottawa: The Liberal government tabled bill in the House of Commons on Thursday to delay by one year the expansion of the medically assisted death (MAID) for those only suffering from mental disorder.

The government tabled a bill to pave the way for further delay in its spread.

Justice Minister David Lametti said the decision to delay was made after the federal government learned that Canada’s health care system was not prepared for the expansion.

The Liberal government agreed to expand this ability in 2021 after senators amended a bill to embrace death with medical aid.

At the time, senators argued that if this was not done, it would be a violation of the rights of people suffering from mental illness.

But the bill gave two years time for this extension which is going to end in March provided parliament passes the new law by then.

In May last year, the federal government’s panel of experts on medically assisted death said it did not require further delays.

Meanwhile, Lametti said he hoped the agreement would be sealed by all parties before the end of time and the bill would be passed by senators.