Ottawa Indefinitely Extends MAID Exclusion for Those Whose Sole Condition Is Mental Illness

The federal government will table legislation to indefinitely exclude people whose sole medical condition is a mental illness from receiving medical assistance in dying (MAID), Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced on Oct. 7.

Fraser said the decision reflected the recommendations of a special parliamentary committee on MAID, which recommended that people whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness remain excluded from eligibility.

“It also reflects the engagement that I’ve had, that my department has had over the course of my time in this particular position. While there is not a perfect consensus on this issue, we believe this is the correct approach at this particular time,” Fraser said.

The committee studying MAID expansion had concluded that the “evidentiary and systemic conditions necessary for safe and equitable implementation cannot presently be met.” It cited challenges in determining whether a mental illness is irremediable, a shortage of mental health services for Canadians, and concerns that the expansion could disproportionately affect women. ---More...

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— The Rundown (@therundowntvo)October 7, 2026

Ottawa has announced it will indefinitely extend the MAID exclusion for people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness.