(OTTAWA) Revelations that veterans have been offered medical assistance in dying suggest the federal government is planning to change its law to include psychiatric illnesses and disabilities.
In 2016, a federal law was passed in Canada to allow people who suffer from a serious and incurable illness, condition or disability to request medical assistance in dying.
The government plans to introduce amendments in March to include people with mental health issues.
The government’s intentions have raised concerns among psychiatrists across the country. According to them, Canada is not ready for it.
Some organizations that provide psychiatric help to veterans are also going to the barricades after the Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed that one of its employees had spoken to four people about medical assistance in dying.
These organizations argue that the government should invest more money in caring for veterans, some of whom have been waiting for months and even years, rather than helping them end their lives.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday the government wants to strike the right balance between access to assisted dying and protecting vulnerable Canadians, including veterans.