Alberta backtracks on euthanasia expansions

Canadian politicians have proposed new legislation to reduce access to euthanasia.

Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith stated that Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) must be limited to only those deemed to be terminally ill.  The Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act (Bill 18) also seeks to bar doctors from unilaterally raising MAID with patients, strengthen conscience protections, and ban MAID advertising in healthcare facilities.

Introduced in 2016, MAID was expanded in 2021 to include people with serious or incurable conditions but who do not have a terminal diagnosis. Euthanasia now accounts for five per cent of all deaths in Canada.

Strengthen safeguards

Premier Smith said, “MAID should not become a permanent response to a moment of crisis or despair that can change with care and time.”

She explained that the new measures under Bill 18 “strengthens safeguards and restores clear limits on eligibility to protect vulnerable Albertans facing mental illness or living with disabilities”.

The Premier added: “Those struggling with severe mental health challenges need treatment, compassion and support, not a path to end their life at what may be their lowest moment.”

Recovery is possible

Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada, which supports people with intellectual disabilities, welcomed the new legislation, saying it “demonstrates that governments can strengthen laws and better protect people whose lives are not nearing an end”.

She urged the federal government “to review Canada’s Maid law and ensure the same level of protection exists for people with disabilities across the country”.

The Chief Executive of the Alberta division of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Mara Grunau, stated: “Recovery from mental illness and suicidality is possible, expected even”.

“For that reason, we welcome the steps Alberta is taking to strengthen protections for those experiencing mental illness”.

Scotland

In Scotland last month, parliamentarians rejected an attempt to legalise assisted suicide for adults deemed to be terminally ill with less than six months to live.

Jeremy Balfour, who was born with a physical disability, told his colleagues that disabled people are “frightened” of such legislation, adding: “I know that those on the other side will say that this Bill only affects those with terminal illness, but as has been seen time and again in other jurisdictions, this Bill marks the beginning of a story, not the end.”

Daniel Johnson, who voted in favour of the Bill at Stage 1 but opposed it in the final vote, said: “Very often when we legislate in this place, ‘good enough’ is good enough. Legislation, by necessity, has to be a matter of compromise, but this is not an area where we can afford compromise. ‘Good enough’ is not good enough.”