{"id":38827,"date":"2026-03-05T12:01:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T17:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?p=38827"},"modified":"2026-03-05T12:01:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T17:01:29","slug":"one-year-until-maid-expands-for-mental-illness-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2026\/03\/05\/one-year-until-maid-expands-for-mental-illness-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"One Year Until MAID Expands for Mental Illness: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>March 17, 2026 will mark one year until the expansion of medical assistance in dying (\u201cMAID\u201d) to people whose sole underlying medical condition is mental illness (\u201cMAID MD-SUMC\u201d). In February 2024 Parliament passed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/DocumentViewer\/en\/44-1\/bill\/C-62\/royal-assent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bill C-62<\/a>, which would amend the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canlii.org\/en\/ca\/laws\/stat\/rsc-1985-c-c-46\/latest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Criminal Code<\/em><\/a> to allow physicians to perform MAID on those whose only medical condition is mental illness effective next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parliamentary Committee Expressed Concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/Content\/Committee\/441\/AMAD\/Reports\/RP12815505\/amadrp03\/amadrp03-e.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">most recent, January 2024, report<\/a> (the \u201cReport\u201d), the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (\u201cAMAD\u201d) reviewed the proposed expansion of MAID MD-SUMC<strong>.<\/strong> AMAD identified several areas that require attention before Bill C-62 becomes law. The Report outlined what must be in place before Canada can expand MAID, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>clear practice standards, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>training and professional development, and <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>oversight <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p> AMAD also highlighted several significant and ongoing concerns about the expansion of MAID MD-SUMC, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the difficulty distinguishing MAID requests from suicidality,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>inadequate safeguards to protect vulnerable groups, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a lack of trained medical practitioners. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Health Canada\u2019s Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Department of Health <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/content\/Committee\/441\/AMAD\/GovResponse\/RP13128310\/441_AMAD_Rpt03_GR\/DepartmentOfHealth-Third-e.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">responded<\/a> to the Report (the \u201cResponse\u201d), noting that a Joint Committee of Parliament needed to be established by February 28, 2026 to review the eligibility of MAID MD-SUMC prior to its proposed implementation on March 17, 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Health Canada, the delay in Bill C-62 was intended to provide additional preparation time to train practitioners, implement standards and oversight mechanisms, and re-establish AMAD to conduct a comprehensive review of readiness for MAID MD- SUMC. The Response indicated the following consultations would occur in preparation for the March 2027 expansion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ongoing support, training, guidance and resources for practitioners assessing complex MAID cases, including those involving mental illness;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Engagement of First Nations, Inuit and Metis populations, as well as other key stakeholder groups;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Further work to explore models of case review and quality improvement in MAID delivery; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Undertake research that will provide insights into the reasons why people seek MAID and the views and experiences of MAID among key populations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>During the current session of Parliament, AMAD has not conducted any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/committees\/en\/AMAD\/Work?show=allwork\">st<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/committees\/en\/AMAD\/Work?show=allwork\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">udies or activities<\/a>, nor published any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/committees\/en\/AMAD\/Work?show=reports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reports<\/a> or issued any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/Committees\/en\/AMAD\/NewsReleases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">news releases<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Concerns over MAID Expansion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>CCCC has previously published <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2023\/04\/12\/parliamentary-committee-recommends-maid-expansion-expert-witnesses-respond-with-concern-criticism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blogs<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2023\/08\/03\/hot-off-the-press-a-brand-new-book-on-maid-in-canada\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">developed resources<\/a> for Members to understand why the rapid expansion of MAID including for MD-SUMC is so troubling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Data from <a href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/en\/pub\/11-627-m\/11-627-m2025010-eng.pdf?st=Pqk97g8M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Statistics Canada<\/a> shows that 10.4% of Canadians over the age of 15 years have experienced a mental health-related disability. Canadians accessing mental health care face <a href=\"https:\/\/www.camh.ca\/en\/driving-change\/the-crisis-is-real\/mental-health-statistics#:~:text=a%20mental%20illness.-,Access%20to%20services,-Wait%20times%20can\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">long wait times<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.camh.ca\/en\/driving-change\/the-crisis-is-real\/mental-health-statistics#:~:text=national%20average.27-,Stigma,-In%20a%202019\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stigma <\/a>when seeking support. The prevalence of mental disorders is increasing, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/pub\/11-627-m\/11-627-m2023053-eng.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over 5 million Canadians<\/a> meeting diagnostic criteria for mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders in 2022. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, MAID is increasing in Canada. Health Canada\u2019s 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/content\/dam\/hc-sc\/documents\/services\/publications\/health-system-services\/annual-report-medical-assistance-dying-2024\/annual-report-medical-assistance-dying-2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Annual Report on MAID in Canada<\/a> reports that 16,499 people received MAID in 2024. Approximately half of those who died by MAID reported asking for MAID because they felt like a burden to their families, friends, or caregivers. In 2022, Quebec surpassed the Netherlands in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/379\/bmj.o3023.full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">highest number of deaths per capita due to MAID<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">International Criticism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Canada has faced harsh criticism from the United Nations regarding the expansion of MAID to those with mental illnesses and for mature minors.\u00a0 In the <a href=\"https:\/\/digitallibrary.un.org\/js\/pdfjs-2.9.359\/web\/pdf_viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fdigitallibrary.un.org%2Frecord%2F4080760%2Ffiles%2FCRPD_C_CAN_CO_2-3-EN.pdf%3Fregister_download%3D0&amp;chunksize=8388608#page=1&amp;zoom=auto,-17,757\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Concluding observations on the combined second and third periodic reports of Canada<\/a>, the UN:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Called on Canada to repeal Track 2 MAID for those whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Objected to expansion for mental illness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Objected to expansion for mature minors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Objected to expansion to advance directives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urged Canada to establish an oversight mechanism for independent monitoring and to handle complaints<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The UN report further identified the need for Canada to invest in and implement comprehensive measures to address systemic factors relating to social detriments of health, including poverty relief, homelessness prevention, and community-based mental health support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CCCC Advocacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>CCCC continues to advocate against the expansion of MAID, and has been granted status as an <a href=\"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/cccc\/2025\/05\/22\/providence-intervention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">intervenor<\/a> in court case about whether religious healthcare institutions are obliged to euthanize patients. \u00a0CCCC is joined by other organizations in combatting the expansion of MAID by supporting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianlegalfellowship.org\/dignityforall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dignity for all<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evangelicalfellowship.ca\/euthanasia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">protection of the vulnerable.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CCCC is encouraged by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/DocumentViewer\/en\/45-1\/bill\/C-218\/first-reading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bill C-218<\/a>, a private member\u2019s Bill which would amend the <em>Criminal Code <\/em>to expressly exclude a mental disorder from a \u201cgrievous and irremediable medical condition\u201d and prohibit the expansion of MAID MD-SUMC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What You Can Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or your organization are concerned with the expansion of MAID MD-SUMC, our friends at EFC have created resources to help explain the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evangelicalfellowship.ca\/getattachment\/Resources\/Government\/2025\/Bill-C-218-Stop-MAiD-for-mental-illness\/MAiD-for-mental-illness-MP-handout-July-2025-EFC.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">importance of Bill C-218<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evangelicalfellowship.ca\/getattachment\/Resources\/Government\/2025\/Bill-C-218-Stop-MAiD-for-mental-illness\/MAiD-for-mental-illness-contact-MP-July-2025-EFC.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to speak to your MP<\/a> about the dangers of ongoing MAID expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We\u2019re Here to Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have questions or would like support, please contact our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/mst\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Member Support Team<\/a> by phone or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/email_us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">email<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>March 17, 2026 will mark one year until the expansion of medical assistance in dying (\u201cMAID\u201d) to people whose sole underlying medical condition is mental illness (\u201cMAID MD-SUMC\u201d). In February 2024 Parliament passed Bill C-62, which would amend the Criminal Code to allow physicians to perform MAID on those whose&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2026\/03\/05\/one-year-until-maid-expands-for-mental-illness-what-you-need-to-know\/\" class=\"linkbutton\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":38830,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ts_fic_featured_image_caption":"Man in a blue hospital gown sitting on hospital bed looking out a window.","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[240,204,424,284,387],"series":[],"class_list":["post-38827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-charities","tag-charity","tag-federal-government","tag-legislation","tag-maid"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>One Year Until MAID Expands for Mental Illness: What You Need to Know - CCCC Blogs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Canada is set to expand MAID to include mental illness in 2027. 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Key Elements of Bill 18 Bill 18 would address many deep concerns about the rapid expansion and lack of oversight of Canada\u2019s medical assistance in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"charities\"","block_context":{"text":"charities","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/charities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-18-Blog-from-LB-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-18-Blog-from-LB-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-18-Blog-from-LB-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28720,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/","url_meta":{"origin":38827,"position":4},"title":"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think","author":"Deina Warren","date":"January 21, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The federal government is asking for your feedback about expanding access to \"medical assistance in dying\" (MAID), a euphemism for euthanasia or assisted suicide. 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