The federal government has announced it will introduce legislation this fall that will indefinitely extend the ban on access to MAiD for people who are solely suffering from mental illness.

What’s happening:

• In addition, the promised legislation will also enable people to give advance consent for their own medically assisted death, where their illness may eventually eliminate their capacity to make that decision. 
• Details of this advance consent will be worked out in the legislative process, and will require a person’s illness to be incurable and result in intolerable suffering. 
• Provinces will have the choice to adopt or reject this change, which could result in different rules across the country and require the CPSM and other provincial regulators to revisit the direction given to physicians.

What it means for you: The proposed legislation is not expected to change physicians’ right to opt out of participating in or referring patients for MAiD based on personal conscience or religious beliefs.

We know physicians have been passionate about this issue. This decision may be very difficult for some to hear, and may be celebrated by others. Please show compassion for your colleagues as they work through their feelings about this declaration by the federal government.

We’re here to help. Doctors Manitoba will continue to monitor the progress of the federal legislation, and also any reactions by the Manitoba government and the CPSM. You can always let us know your views on this challenging subject at practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.