The federal government is pausing plans to make medically assisted dying available to people whose only medical problem is mental illness – and Health Minister Mark Holland is giving no indication of a new timeline.

The country is not yet ready to take such an important step, Holland admitted on Monday, agreeing with the findings of a joint parliamentary committee that released its final report earlier in the day.

That committee, which reconvened last year to determine whether health workers were prepared, concluded that fundamental questions surrounding the controversial expansion remain unresolved.

While end-of-life care providers, medical professionals and regulators have done significant groundwork, the committee heard “significant testimony” from stakeholders that the system was not yet ready.

The report shows that many doctors remain concerned, particularly about the challenges in assessing the terminal aspect of mental illness.

Important questions also remain about how evaluators can distinguish between someone asking for help dying and someone with suicidal thoughts.

Senators and representatives who are members of the commission also heard “conflicting” statements, the report said, which also recommended that the commission resume work a year before the next deadline.

How can compliance with the requirements be ensured?

The government will soon issue legislation detailing its plans, Mark Holland said. This must happen before the expansion takes effect on March 17th.

“We need more time,” he said. We will be able to talk about the time we think is necessary in the coming days.

The Liberals already signed a one-year delay into law last year, saying at the time that medical providers and provinces needed more time to prepare.

The government is very aware of the impending deadline, said Justice Minister Arif Virani.

Liberals still argue that a person who has experienced “decades” of torment and exhausted all treatment options should have the option of medical assistance in dying, Mr. Holland said.

However, the government must ensure that this measure is “limited to these circumstances and that we have appropriate controls in place,” he added.

Minister Holland also noted concerns raised by the governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba about the planned expansion and the associated risks to people with mental illness.

The Liberals are under increasing pressure from the opposition to curb their expansion plans. The New Federal Democrats first want to introduce more support for mental health.

The federal conservatives, for their part, are calling for complete abolition.

In a dissenting report, Conservative MPs and senators on the committee said it would be “reckless and dangerous” for the Liberals to allow the planned change in March.

“Canada is not ready for this and, frankly, there is no evidence that it ever will be,” several MPs said in a statement.

“Justin Trudeau must immediately and permanently end the expansion (of medical assistance in dying) to people with mental illnesses.”

A highly anticipated plan

Dying with Dignity, a national advocacy group for end-of-life care, called on the government to submit its plan as quickly as possible.

The necessary training and practice standards have been developed and after three years of preparation by providers, the country is actually ready to move forward, the group said in a statement.

Denying people with mental illness the opportunity to be evaluated for euthanasia is a violation of their rights, he continues.

Three independent senators reiterated that point in a dissenting opinion on the committee's findings.

“Canadians suffering from mental illness should receive appropriate health care on a case-by-case basis,” said the statement from Senators Stan Kutcher, Marie-Françoise Megie and Pamela Wallin.

“It also stigmatizes people with mental disorders and promotes the myth that people with mental disorders are unable to make informed decisions about their end-of-life choices.”