A parliamentary hearing heard testimony alleging that some patients are receiving approval for euthanasia despite not meeting current legal criteria.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A Canadian psychiatrist told federal lawmakers that individuals with mental illness are being approved for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) despite current laws prohibiting the practice for psychiatric conditions alone.
Dr. John Maher, a specialist in severe mental illness based in Barrie, Ontario, delivered the testimony during a recent Special Joint Committee meeting examining Canada’s assisted dying framework.
During the session, Andrew Lawton questioned Maher about reports that some practitioners were effectively treating mental illness as qualifying grounds for MAiD. Lawton asked whether such cases amounted to criminal misconduct.
“I absolutely am,” Maher replied.
Maher described a case involving a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia who was approved for assisted death based on physical conditions he said were minor and treatable. “I had a patient with schizophrenia who was approved for MAID on the basis of a skin condition that a dermatologist said could be treated with a cream and a sore ankle following not cooperating with physiotherapy after a broken ankle,” he told the committee.
He said he challenged the approval directly. “I had a fierce argument with the MAID provider who said that was sufficient,” Maher said, adding that the patient “was psychotic and delusional at the time.”
According to Maher, the issue extends beyond a single case. He told lawmakers that similar incidents are being observed by other clinicians. “People are clearly getting MAID for reasons that are frankly illegal,” he said.
Under current Canadian law, MAiD is not permitted when mental illness is the sole underlying condition. However, Parliament has approved legislation to expand eligibility in the future. The change is scheduled to take effect in 2027 following the passage of Bill C-7, unless further legislative action is taken.
Maher warned that expanding assisted dying to include psychiatric conditions could have broader societal effects, citing what is known as the Werther Effect, in which publicized suicides may lead to increased imitation. He told lawmakers that similar patterns have been observed in countries such as Switzerland, where euthanasia is legal and requests have increased following legalization.
He also cautioned that broader access could lead vulnerable individuals to seek multiple assessments in pursuit of approval. He described the potential outcome as a system where patients might “doctor-shop until dead.”
The Special Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing MAiD policy includes members with differing views on assisted dying. Lawton is among those who have expressed opposition to expanding eligibility, while others have supported broader access.
Separate testimony presented to the committee included remarks from Mona Gupta, who said individuals with conditions such as eating disorders or depression could be considered for assisted death under future policy changes.
The committee is tasked with evaluating whether Canada should proceed with the planned expansion and is expected to issue recommendations to Parliament.
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