The expansion of Canada's Medical Assistance In Dying (MAiD) program — which would help people those with only mental disorders die — might be delayed by the federal government..MAiD was set to be expanded in March 2023.."We have heard concerns of Canadians and experts about whether the health-care system will be ready to accommodate MAID requests for persons whose sole medical condition is a mental illness," said Justice Minister David Lametti on Thursday. ."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.".Lametti said some provinces and territories, as well as those working in healthcare, said more time is needed to finalize the MAiD expansion. He said that includes having the time necessary to implement standard practices and allocate resources for accommodating more "complex" MAiD requests. ."We are listening to what we are hearing and being responsive, to make sure we move forward in a prudent way, Lametti said. "We know we need to get this right in order to protect those who are vulnerable and also to support an individual's autonomy and freedom of choice.".Lametti added the federal government intends to work with the House and Senate in order to negotiate an extension, which will require legislation. He said this would have to wait until Parliament resumes towards the end of January 2023..Assisted suicides in Canada significantly increased since MAiD was first legalized in 2016, rising from 1,000 assisted suicide deaths in 2016 to more than 10,000 in 2021. One in 30 deaths in Canada now come from medically assisted suicide, according to the third annual report on MAiD in Canada..Canadians were horrified after it was reported several military veterans seeking help from Veterans Affairs Canada were offered assisted suicide without asking. This included retired Cpl. Christine Gauthier, a veteran and Paralympian."With respect to MAiD, I have a letter in my file because I've had to face that as well. I have a letter saying that if you're so desperate, madam, we can offer you MAiD," Gauthier testified two weeks ago in front of the Veterans Affairs Committee."They said ma'am, if it's too difficult for you to continue living, we can offer you medical aid in dying. They offered to supply equipment," she said.READ MORE: Assisted dying was offered to veteran and former Paralympian requesting wheelchair rampPrime Minister Justin Trudeau later said the situation was "unacceptable" and said the employees who offered MAiD no longer have contact with veterans. But Trudeau also acknowledged the issue of MAiD is "deeply personal" and an "extraordinary difficult" choice that families and individuals must make."We understand that making sure we are respecting people's rights and their choices, at the same time as we protect the most vulnerable, is a very important but challenging balance to establish," he said.
