Legal Battle Over Canada's Mental Illness Exclusion in Assisted Death

Two plaintiffs and an advocacy group are suing Canada, arguing that excluding mental illness from its assisted death framework violates their rights. The exclusion, intended to expire in 2023 but extended to 2027, has sparked debate over the rights of individuals with severe mental illnesses seeking dignified death.

Canada is facing a legal challenge from two plaintiffs and an advocacy group over the exclusion of mental illness from its assisted death framework, arguing that the policy violates their rights.

Under current laws, medically assisted death is legal in Canada under specific circumstances, but individuals whose sole underlying condition is mental illness are excluded. This exclusion was set to expire in early 2023 but has been extended twice, now to 2027, due to the government's stance that the system was not ready to handle such cases.

Critics argue that it is difficult to determine when a mental illness is incurable, complicating eligibility for assisted death. Disability advocates also highlight that it has become easier to access assisted death than life-supporting resources. However, advocates for those with severe mental illness contend that their suffering is profound and excluding them only prolongs unnecessary anguish.

(With inputs from agencies.)