The international charity Dying With Dignity Canada say it's disappointed the federal government intends to table legislation that delays the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), claiming the move "continues to violate the charter rights of those with a mental disorder."."The current exclusion of those with a mental disorder from end-of-life choice is stigmatizing, discriminatory and unconstitutional," the group said on Twitter on Friday..Justice Minister David Lametti announced Thursday the federal government is seeking to delay an expansion of its MAiD law, which is set to include Canadians whose only medical condition is mental illness.."We have heard concerns of Canadians and experts about whether the healthcare system will be ready to accommodate MAiD requests... This is a very complex question. We want to be prudent, we want to move in a step–by-step way so that we don't make mistakes," he said.READ MORE: Federal government seeking to delay expansion of medically assisted dying programLametti added that more time is needed to implement standard practices and allocate resources for accommodating more "complex" MAiD requests. Dying with Dignity said while it acknowledges concerns about the need for more mental health supports across Canada, it's "equally concerned" about Canadians who "suffer intolerably" from mental illness and are waiting to be assessed for MAiD.The charity argued Canadians suffering mental health disorders ought to have the same eligibility for MAiD as those suffering physical disorders."We must avoid creating barriers that will prolong grievous suffering."It added delaying the expansion of MAiD will only serve to exacerbate the belief there are "meaningful differences in the degree of suffering endured by those with physical and mental illnesses."The group also said the MAiD expansion delay continues to violate the charter rights of those with a mental disorder. Dying with Dignity's Sarah Dobec told the Western Standard under Section 15(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, "every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination." Dobec said this part of the Charter includes on the basis of a mental or physical disability.Dying With Dignity said there has been a "rigorous process" to examine assisted dying for the mentally ill, and it expects the expert panel on MAiD and Mental Illness and the Special Joint Committee on MAID will serve to finalize the process."If the sunset clause is extended, we strongly urge those tasked with reviewing the safeguards to work swiftly and compassionately to ensure autonomy for those impacted by this announcement," the charity said.
