The Liberal government wants to delay expanding Canada’s medical assistance in dying regime to include people whose only underlying conditions are mental disorders.
Federal Justice Minister David Lametti said Thursday the government has heard from experts who worry the health care system may not be ready to handle these complex cases.
Canada’s medical assistance in dying law currently excludes, until next March, people “whose only medical condition is a mental illness”, even if they meet all other eligibility criteria.
An expert panel studying the issue heard concerns from medical professionals, researchers and academics who questioned whether the proper safeguards were in place now to expand eligibility criteria.
The Liberals will therefore have to change the law to extend the ban beyond March 2023. Minister Lametti hopes to obtain the support of other parties in the House of Commons to pass this bill.
The House of Commons and the Senate adjourned for the holiday recess until January 30.
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