Many Canadians remain unaware that euthanasia laws have expanded and further legal changes - such as allowing self-termination for mental illness alone - are proposed by lawmakers, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC).
The EFC issued the warning after evaluating social media reactions to its recently published brochure, Euthanasia in Canada, which outlines ethical and practical concerns about the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program. The organization, which opposes euthanasia and is very concerned about the realities of its implementation in the country, said online responses to the resource revealed significant gaps in public awareness.
“Many of the comments we’ve seen on social media have confirmed another of our concerns—that many Canadians are not aware of how the euthanasia law has already been expanded and that more changes have been proposed,” stated the EFC in a recent news update.
Legislation passed in 2021 paved the way for allowing euthanasia solely on the basis of mental illness. According to the EFC, this marked a significant expansion of MAiD eligibility to include individuals with “a serious illness, disease or disability” even if their natural death is not reasonably foreseeable.
Currently, individuals with mental illness as their sole condition are not eligible for MAiD. But this is set to change in March 2027 unless Canadian lawmakers delay or repeal the legislation.
The EFC has previously submitted arguments to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying as to why Canada should reject any notion of allowing MAiD for mental illness.
The evangelical organization cited Canadian Institute for Health data showing that one in ten Canadians wait more than five months for counselling services and highlighted other data, which citizens may be unaware of.
Legal requirements also state that for people seeking euthanasia for Track 2 MAiD—for those who are “not otherwise dying”—require only a three-month assessment period from the initial appointment to the day the patient’s life is ended via MAiD.
Recommendations concerning mature minors were also put forward by the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying, as cited by the EFC, in its report titled Medical Assistance in Dying: Choices for Canadians.
According to the EFC, the committee recommended:
Recommendation 16: That the Government of Canada amend the eligibility criteria for MAID set out in the Criminal Code to include minors deemed to have the requisite decision-making capacity upon assessment.
Recommendation 17: That the Government of Canada restrict MAID for mature minors to those whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable.
Recommendation 19: That the Government of Canada establish a requirement that, where appropriate, the parents or guardians of a mature minor be consulted in the course of the assessment process for MAID, but that the will of a minor who is found to have the requisite decision-making capacity ultimately take priority.
However, the EFC pointed out that the committee’s recommendations are not “binding” on the Canadian Government.
“There is no legislation to make mature minors eligible yet, but it has been raised and is being promoted by some groups. The EFC is very concerned that this has been proposed by a parliamentary committee,” the group said.
The EFC also noted concerns expressed by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities in a country review of Canada, as previously reported by Christian Daily International.
According to the EFC, the UN committee recommended that Canada “reverse expanding MAiD on the basis of mental illness and not expand eligibility to mature minors.”
The committee accused the Canadian federal government of ableism in enshrining the current MAiD eligibility, citing its failure to challenge the Truchon v. Canada decision on Sept. 11, 2019. That Quebec Superior Court ruling struck down the requirement for a “reasonable foreseeability of natural death” in federal MAiD laws.
According to the committee, the Truchon decision fundamentally shifted the program’s intent—from assisting those facing imminent death to establishing “a new program that establishes medically assisted dying for persons with disabilities based on negative, ableist perceptions of the quality and value of the life of persons with disabilities.”
This included the ableist view that “‘suffering’ is intrinsic to disability rather than the fact that inequality and discrimination cause and compound ‘suffering’ for persons with disabilities.”
“The concept of ‘choice’ creates a false dichotomy by setting up the premise that if persons with disabilities are suffering, it is valid for the State Party to enable their death, with safeguards not guaranteeing the provision of support, and ableist assumptions deemphasising the myriad of support options for persons with disabilities to live dignified lives,” the U.N. committee added.
Meanwhile, the EFC is urging Canadians who are concerned about the expansion of MAiD laws to contact their local member of Parliament and voice their concerns.
“Ask your MP to repeal the law allowing MAiD on the basis of mental illness and to oppose any further expansion of the euthanasia law. Remember to be respectful and gracious,” the group said.
“It will take all of us working together to bring about change. Share your concerns—and this information—with your family and friends.”
