Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he's opposed to allowing more groups to access medical assistance in dying (MAiD). .“I do not support expanding physician assisted suicide to minors or people who are unable to truly consent,” said Poilievre in a letter to Baptist House pastor-teacher David Cooke. .“Nor do I accept assisted suicide as a solution for mental illness.” .Poilievre said it's important legislation addressing MAiD is clear and includes safeguards. .He said his government would promote and prioritize people’s health across Canada. He added Canada should “promote policies that prioritize compassionate palliative care, rather than making medically assisted dying the only option.” .The Canadian government will be expanding MAiD to mentally ill people in March. .READ MORE: Doctor assisted suicide expanding to include mentally ill.This policy opens many ethical questions, as people needing psychiatric care can be held against their will in a treatment facility..Three United Nations human rights experts criticized this expansion for having a “discriminatory impact on disabled people and running contrary to international human rights standards.”.There were 3.3% of all deaths in Canada in 2021 through MAiD, accounting for 10,064 deaths..READ MORE: 3.3% of all Canadian deaths were doctor assisted suicide.It continues to see rapid growth across Canada, with a 32.4% increase over 2020..Since it started in 2016, about 31,664 people chose MAiD.
