Frank Bergman
Canada’s
federal government has assembled a parliamentary committee packed with
euthanasia supporters to review whether the country’s controversial
“assisted suicide” program should be expanded to people suffering solely
from mental illness.
The move has alarmed critics who warn the Trudeau-era Medical
Assistance in Dying (MAiD) regime is already spiraling out of control.
The Special Joint Parliamentary Committee on Medical Assistance in
Dying is made up of 10 Members of Parliament and five senators.
It will examine whether Canada should move forward with plans to
allow assisted suicide for people who have no physical illness at all,
only mental health conditions.
The expansion is already scheduled to take effect in 2027 unless Parliament intervenes.
Pro-Life MPs Vow to Fight Expansion
Among the committee members is Conservative MP Andrew Lawton, who has been outspoken in opposing the expansion.
Lawton confirmed his appointment in a post on X.
“I’m honoured to be named to the Special Joint Committee on Medical
Assistance in Dying, which will review the incoming expansion of MAID to
people with solely a mental illness and no physical ailments,” Lawton
wrote.
“This expansion comes into force next year unless new legislation is passed.”
Lawton is joined by other Conservative lawmakers who oppose expanding
euthanasia, including Conservative MP Tamara Jansen and Conservative MP
Michael Cooper.
However, the committee also includes several lawmakers who have
supported euthanasia expansion, including Sen. Kristopher David Wells,
along with Liberal MPs Kristina Tesser Derksen and James Maloney.
Lawton Speaks Out After Surviving Suicide Attempt
Lawton has spoken publicly about nearly dying in a suicide attempt 15 years ago.
He recently launched an initiative aimed at helping people struggling
with mental illness choose life and raising awareness about the dangers
of expanding euthanasia access.
The current push to extend assisted suicide to those with mental
illness stems from Bill C-7, legislation passed in 2021 that
dramatically expanded Canada’s euthanasia laws.
Conservatives Introduce Bills to Stop Expansion
Conservative lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at slowing or stopping the expansion.
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis introduced Bill C-260, titled “An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying – protection against coercion).”
If passed, the bill would prohibit government officials or authority
figures from suggesting euthanasia to someone who has not asked for it.
Another proposal, Bill C-218,
introduced by Conservative MP Tamara Jansen, would prevent
state-sponsored euthanasia from being extended to people suffering
solely from mental illness.
The bill passed its first reading on June 20, 2025.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre praised Lawton for sharing his personal story and raising awareness about the issue.
Canada’s Euthanasia Program Keeps Expanding
Canada legalized assisted suicide in 2016 under the Liberal government of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The program has been rapidly expanding since then.
Originally limited to patients who were terminally ill, MAiD
eligibility was widened in 2021 through Bill C-7 to include people
suffering from chronic conditions.
Since then, activists have pushed for additional expansions,
including allowing euthanasia for people with mental illness and even
minors.
MAiD advocates have also begun calling for newborn babies to be euthanized.
Currently, assisted suicide remains illegal for minors and for people suffering solely from mental illness.
However, the government has already scheduled the mental illness expansion to take effect in 2027.
The policy was originally set to begin earlier, but was delayed in
February 2024 after significant backlash from medical professionals,
mental health advocates, pro-life organizations, and several Canadian
provinces.
The government agreed to push back the plan when doctors refused to start euthanizing mentally ill patients.
Same-Day Euthanasia Cases Raise Alarm
Meanwhile, critics say the existing program is already deeply troubling.
Recent reports show that thousands of Canadians have been euthanized shortly after receiving approval.
In Ontario alone, more than 200 people were euthanized within 24
hours of being approved in 2023, according to a 2024 provincial report
cited by the Free Press.
Of the 219 deaths examined, roughly 30 percent occurred the same day approval was granted.
The report also highlighted disturbing cases that critics say raise
serious questions about how the program is being administered.
Woman Euthanized After Attempting to Withdraw Request
One case involved an elderly woman identified as Mrs. B, who was in
her 80s and had suffered complications after coronary bypass surgery.
Initially, she expressed interest in assisted suicide, as Slay News reported.
Later, however, the woman reportedly changed her mind.
According to the report, she told a MAiD practitioner she wanted to
withdraw her request, citing religious and personal reasons and
expressing a desire to continue hospice care.
Despite that decision, the process continued.
Physicians reportedly cited her husband’s “caregiver burnout” when evaluating the case.
A request for inpatient hospice care to support the family was denied.
A second practitioner determined the woman still qualified for MAiD despite her earlier withdrawal.
Although the practitioner declined to approve a same-day procedure
due to concerns about a “drastic change in perspective” and possible
coercion, the case moved forward.
A third evaluator later visited the woman at her home and approved the euthanasia procedure.
Hours later, Mrs. B was euthanized with a lethal injection, against her wishes.