Liberals table bill restricting access to MAID for mental illness

OTTAWA — Justice Minister Sean Fraser has introduced a bill to amend Canada’s medical assistance in dying law.

The bill would allow people to make advance directives to access MAID and would bar access for those suffering solely from a mental illness.

The government says there are serious concerns about how cases involving mental illness can be assessed.

Advance requests allow a person who suffers from a degenerative condition, such as dementia or ALS, to ask that an assisted death be carried out once they no longer have the capacity to consent.

Fraser says there will be “rigorous safeguards” to ensure an individual’s decision to end their life is voluntary and not affected by external pressure.

The bill amends the Criminal Code but it will be up to provinces to decide whether to provide advance requests through their own health systems.

— This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2026.