Canada’s broadening medical assistance in dying (MAiD) law has already harmed the country’s most vulnerable and will continue to do so unless amended, say critics of the legislation. Alex Schadenberg, executive director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Canada, says there are many recent cases that showcase this point. He cites the case of a woman who…

A recently tabled private member’s bill would give health-care providers the right to refuse participation in medically assisted death, while government legislation passed in the House of Commons on March 11 aims to expand access to this medical procedure. Introduced by Conservative MP Kelly Block on Feb. 18, Bill C-268 would make it a criminal…

The Senate voted to give the Canadian government 18 months to expand access to medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to people suffering solely from mental illnesses. On Tuesday, senators voted 57-21 to amend Bill C-7, which prohibits MAiD for people whose sole medical condition is a mental illness. The amendment would allow people suffering from…

Commentary A good friend of ours died last year of a slow-growing but inexorable form of lung cancer. In his final months, he received expert outpatient care from a team of palliative-care specialists. When the end was imminent and breathing became difficult, he was asked if he preferred lucidity with suffering, or comfort. “Comfort,” he…

OTTAWA—Justice Minister David Lametti isn’t ruling out the possibility of asking the Supreme Court to advise on the constitutionality of a bill to expand access to assisted dying. Testifying at the Senate’s legal and constitutional affairs committee today, Lametti said a reference to the top court “is always an option.” But he says he’s never…