Story perspectives

Fraser Introduces Bill to Indefinitely Bar MAiD for Mental Illness

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 3:20 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Minister Sean Fraser announced legislation to indefinitely bar medical assistance in dying for patients whose only condition is mental illness.
A parliamentary committee report in June endorsed by Conservative and Liberal members recommended the indefinite exclusion.
Fraser said the bill will also protect physicians from criminal prosecution for providing assisted-dying services.
The government will broaden advance-request provisions letting seriously ill patients pre-authorize medical assistance in dying.

History

Historical Context

In February 2015 the Supreme Court of Canada’s Carter v. Canada decision struck down the criminal ban on physician-assisted dying and suspended it for 12 months to let Parliament act. The government answered with Bill C-14 in June 2016, limiting MAiD to competent adults with grievous, irremediable conditions. Minister Sean Fraser’s 2024 proposal to bar MAiD for mental-illness cases builds on that shift.

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Story summary

Minister Sean Fraser announced legislation to indefinitely bar medical assistance in dying for patients whose only condition is mental illness.
A parliamentary committee report in June endorsed by Conservative and Liberal members recommended the indefinite exclusion.
Fraser said the bill will also protect physicians from criminal prosecution for providing assisted-dying services.
The government will broaden advance-request provisions letting seriously ill patients pre-authorize medical assistance in dying.

1 / 2