The Liberal government is expected to introduce legislation on Thursday to delay extending medical assistance in dying to people whose only condition is a mental disorder.
Justice Minister David Lametti says the delay is necessary because of concerns among some that Canada’s health care system may not be ready for expansion.
The Liberal government agreed to expand eligibility in its 2021 update to the assisted dying law. The senators had amended the bill to include this change, arguing that excluding people with mental illness would violate their rights.
But the bill provided for a two-year deadline to delay enlargement, which is due to expire in March unless parliament passes a new law.
The federal government’s Expert Panel on Physician-Assisted Dying and Mental Illness said last May that more time was not needed.
Minister Lametti expects an agreement between the parties and senators to allow the bill to be passed in time, although the Conservatives are opposed to expanding medical assistance in dying.
Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, is to join Mr. Lametti at a press conference on Thursday.
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