Highly anticipated MAID report heads to House of Commons

As Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of Bill C-14, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), CBC reports the committee is advising against expanding the program for those whose sole underlying condition is mental illness.

“I do expect in the very near term we’re going to have a report tabled from the committee. I will be reviewing the recommendations but importantly to me, I’m also going to be reviewing the witness testimony upon which those recommendations were based,” Justice Minister Sean Fraser says.

“If I’m satisfied that the committee has had an opportunity to reach thoughtful conclusions based on the advice of those who are most experienced, most knowledgeable with the issues, then there’s a good chance we may align with the recommendations.”

The expansion plan has been delayed multiple times. The eligibility for MAID was planned to expand in March 2024 but the government delayed the decision until March 2027.

The expansion of MAID is expected to take place on March 17, 2027 unless Parliament intervenes.

The committee has faced criticism and internal decisions over who it chose to hear from during the process.

A Health Canada report from 2024 says over 76 thousand people received MAID between 2016 and 2024 while around 5 per cent of deaths in Canada are medically assisted.

A recent Angus Reid Institute report finds that support for MAID itself remains high but nearly 40 per cent oppose expanding it for mental illness while 19 remain unsure.

To be eligible for MAID, individuals must meet very specific criteria, including age requirements, a qualifying medical condition and the ability to provide informed consent.

The special parliamentary committee report on MAID is anticipated to be tabled in the House of Commons Wednesday afternoon.