Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) already exists all throughout Canada and has since June 2016; however, the program’s expansion was announced to be halted so the government can ensure the proper safeguards can be put in place.
The program allows eligible adults in Canada to request medical assistance in dying.
As of now, individuals can choose MAiD when they are experiencing intolerable pain from a “grievous and [incurable] medical condition.”
This is a service that is only available to a very small portion of the country’s and province’s population and has rigorous eligibility safeguards.
More recently, the Canadian government has put a pin in the expansion of this program to include instances when a mental illness or disorder is the sole underlying medical condition.
BC’s Minister of Health announced on Thursday, February 1st, that he supports this move by the feds.
“When the provincial/territorial health ministers met in Charlottetown in October 2023, I was one of many ministers who called for a reconsideration of the proposed policy to expand eligibility criteria for MAiD,” said Dix.
“It is my recommendation that additional safeguards are required to ensure the safe and appropriate delivery of MAiD, and that all jurisdictions, health authorities, regulators and MAID practitioners have the required time to implement these safeguards.”
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He says he would like to see better protections put in place so the expanded MAiD program can be “done right.”
Specifically, Dix says he worries about the well-being and rights of those living with mental illnesses or disorders.
For now, he says he continues to support MAiD in its current form.
“The Government of British Columbia remains committed to continuing to support practitioners in meeting their legislative requirements and responsibilities, and to enact appropriate guidance and practices in accordance with the MAiD legislative framework,” said Dix.
“Most importantly, we need to ensure MAiD continues to be available in a safe and compassionate way to those traditionally eligible for it, and anyone who may become eligible for it in the future,” he concluded.
The expansion has been tentatively pushed back until 2027, when more safeguards can be put in place and the health care system may be better prepared for this program.
 already exists all throughout Canada and has since June 2016; however, the program’s expansion was announced to be halted so the government can ensure the proper safeguards can be put in place. ){kind=link}