At a press conference together with his colleague Carolyn Bennet, Secretary of State for Mental Health and Addiction, David Lametti announced the submission of Bill C-39, which will give government and medical authorities one more year – i.e. until March 2024 – to focus on the Prepare implementation of this practice under such circumstances difficult The Complexto use the Minister’s words.

” We heard experts, members of the medical community and concerned citizens requesting more time. »

According to Mr. Lametti, before admitting people whose only criterion for receiving medical assistance in dying is mental illness, it is necessary to ensure that the health care system of each province and territory has guidelines and clear standards in place.

This one year extension is necessary to ensure that we proceed cautiously and measuredly on this sensitive and complex issue. This gives us time to help our provincial and territorial partners and the medical community prepare to provide these services in such circumstances.

This extra year will also allow the government to take note of the final report of the joint parliamentary committee on medical euthanasia, expected on February 17, 2023, before giving the green light to this delicate practice.

The Liberal government has agreed to expand entitlements to medical assistance when dying for people whose death isn’t reasonably foreseeable in 2021 following the Supreme Court decision in the case of Gladu and Truchon, in 2019.

The Senate then amended the bill to include people with mental illnesses, stating that excluding such people from medical euthanasia would violate their rights.

Bill C-7, which amends the Criminal Code to legalize medical assistance in dying, provided a two-year delay before implementing these measures, i.e., until March 2023.

frustration

Determined not to rush things, Ottawa has given itself another year to settle all the details before moving forward, although several sufferers were expecting this expansion of the law next March.

We recognize that some Canadians may be frustrated and disappointed by the extension [du délai]She recognizes David Lametti. I know that there are people who are suffering unbearably due to mental illness and are waiting to qualify for medical assistance when they are dying. For her, for her family, for her loved ones, the delay will be difficult.

I mean, I understand, but I also believe that the extension is necessary to ensure that medical assistance in dying is provided safely and consistently in cases where mental disorders are the only illness. explained the minister.

According to David Lametti, the original law had good reason to allow a period of two years before medical assistance could be given to these people when they were dying.

It allowed protocols, guidance and safeguards to be reviewed by a panel of independent experts in medical assistance in dying and mental disorders. And all this within the framework of the pandemic, which did not help usunderlined David Lametti.