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Could the tide be turning – or at least slowing?
Canada has seen a decade of rapid expansion and adoption of euthanasia and assisted suicide like no other country in the world. The ending of life via MAiD has become increasingly widespread and normalized, with more expansions on the horizon.
Two positive developments make us wonder if the rapid expansion may be halting, or at least slowing.
First, Alberta has passed a bill to add limits and safeguards to the delivery of euthanasia and assisted suicide within their provincial healthcare system. Bill 18 was passed on April 22, 2026.
Among the many positive changes in Alberta’s Bill 18, three stand out:
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It gives a timeframe for end of life. The federal law says someone can be eligible for MAiD if their natural death is “reasonably foreseeable.” But this term allows for wide variability in how doctors interpret it, from days to months to years. Alberta has limited eligibility to MAiD to those whose death is likely to happen within 12 months.
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It will not allow MAiD for patients who are not dying (known as Track 2 MAiD) within its healthcare system. In 2021, a bill was passed to expand MAiD to those with a chronic illness, disease or disability, even if their death wasn’t “reasonably foreseeable.” Alberta Bill 18 will not permit Track 2 MAiD within the province’s healthcare system.
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Conversations about MAiD will only be initiated by patients, not by health professionals.
Criminal law is federal, but the delivery of health care is under provincial jurisdiction. The federal government passed a law decriminalizing MAiD in certain circumstances in 2016, expanding the MAiD regime in 2021. But provinces are able to pass laws and policies about how they will deliver healthcare in their province. It doesn’t change what the federal law allows, but limits what is provided through the province’s healthcare system.
Other provinces could introduce limits and safeguards in their health care systems, as well. This is another way to seek protection for Canadians in vulnerable moments.
Second, The Globe and Mail reports that the government is prepared to table legislation to pause the expansion of MAiD for mental illness if a parliamentary committee recommends it. A special committee of MPs and senators is studying MAiD for mental illness and has just finished hearing from witnesses. The EFC submitted a written brief urging a complete reversal of the law allowing MAiD for mental illness.
The committee may recommend going ahead with MAiD for mental illness, or it may recommend halting the expansion, perhaps indefinitely, following the testimony and evidence of experts.
Notably among the evidence presented to the committee, the heads of psychiatry at 13 Canadian medical schools are calling on the federal government to halt the expansion of MAiD for mental illness alone. They strongly recommend an indefinite pause.
The Globe and Mail obtained a copy of their letter and quotes this excerpt in its May 6 editorial:
"As a society, we must provide hope and support to individuals during periods of despair and psychological suffering. In our clinical and academic experience, people can and do recover from prolonged suffering related to mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance use when provided with appropriate, evidence-based treatments and supports.”
The Globe editorial also points out the psychiatrists say they “ 'strongly believe' that expanding MAID would result in preventable deaths and would undermine suicide prevention efforts."
The committee’s report is due by Oct. 2, but it may be completed and submitted to Parliament as early as June.
Bill C-218, which would repeal the law allowing MAiD for mental illness alone, is currently #5 on the list of private members’ bills to be debated in the House of Commons. While Bill C-218 was originally expected earlier this year, it is currently slated to be up for debate and vote in early June. (The House of Commons is on break, and MPs are in their ridings, returning May 25.)
How can we respond?
First, let’s pause for a moment to be thankful and encouraged. Positive policy developments can seem rare. Let’s thank God for additional limits and safeguards for people in vulnerable moments in Alberta.
Second, let’s pray for our country and for those in vulnerable circumstances and their loved ones. May God show us how to love our neighbours well. Pray also for those in authority over us, that God would give the wisdom to make good decisions.
Finally, ask your MP to stop the expansion of MAiD on the basis of mental illness (by supporting Bill C-218). Or if not a full stop, ask your MP to support an indefinite pause to the expansion. It’s helpful for MPs with similar views to hear messages of support. MPs who may not agree take note of what their constituents say to them. When you contact your MP, you are helping make change happen.