Canada indefinitely excludes mental illness as sole condition for assisted dying
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Sean Fraser, Canadian Government
Canada
October 7, 2026
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COMPAMIR Editorial Team
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Read our editorial policy- Earlier version 110/7/2026, 11:31:03 PM
The Canadian government announced legislation to indefinitely bar access to medical assistance in dying (Maid) for those whose sole condition is mental illness. The ban, which was set to expire in March, will now remain in place indefinitely. The government also plans to decriminalize 'advanced requests' for assisted dying for patients with conditions like Alzheimer's.
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The Death with Dignity Movement: Protecting Rights and Expanding Options
Author: Margaret P. Battin
Margaret Battin is a leading scholar in bioethics. This book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the ethical, legal, and social complexities surrounding end-of-life decisions, which is essential for contextualizing the ongoing debate in Canada regarding mental illness and medical assistance in dying.
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