(Ottawa) The Canadian Bar Association has voted to maintain its support for expanding eligibility for medical assistance in dying to people whose only health problem is mental illness.
Lawyers belonging to the national advocacy group met virtually Thursday to debate a series of resolutions, including one calling for the position to be withdrawn.
A committee made up of senators and deputies recently recommended that the government wait before expanding the medical assistance in dying program.
The committee heard warnings from association representatives that this would expose the government to future legal challenges.
The expansion was due to come into effect in March, but the Liberal government introduced legislation to delay it for another three years, well after the next general election.
Opponents say nothing in the law requires Canada to move forward, while supporters argue that people with mental illness should have the same rights as those with debilitating physical illnesses.
The resolution itself called on the association to retract its previous statements of support and instead urged Ottawa to wait “until there is a reliable way to determine whether psychiatric problems are irremediable.”
Various organizations representing the rights of people with disabilities expressed reservations about the expansion and expressed support for the resolution, but it was ultimately rejected.
Senators and House members discussed outstanding questions about how best to determine that a mental state is irremediable and distinguish it from temporary suicidal thoughts.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre said if his party formed the next government it would halt the planned expansion. He is pressuring the Liberals to do the same, but they say they still plan to support the three-year delay.
New Democrats also say a pause is needed and that before considering expansion, more money and effort must be devoted to improving Canadians’ access to mental health resources .