Canada has delayed the planned expansion of medical assistance in dying (MAID) to people whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness.
The current exclusion will remain in place until March 17, 2027, under existing federal legislation.
The delay is intended to give health systems and medical practitioners additional time to prepare for the proposed expansion and establish appropriate safeguards.
The development comes as Canadian authorities continue to consider the framework and protections that would govern eligibility for MAID in cases where mental illness is the sole underlying medical condition.
