Canada: Saskatchewan to Develop Advance MAID Request Policies
The Facts
- Saskatchewan's health ministry said Thursday it will develop policies to "safely implement" advance requests for medical assistance in dying (MAID) ahead of proposed federal legislation on the practice. No timeline for the policies was provided.
- Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill introduced The Medical Assistance in Dying Additional Safeguards Act on Monday, which would bar MAID for people under 18, those whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness and those deemed to lack capacity.
- At the federal level, Canada's Bill C-41, introduced Oct. 27 by Justice Minister Sean Fraser after the government first discussed the proposed changes on Oct. 7, would amend the Criminal Code to permit advance MAID requests in provinces and territories that opt in, allowing adults with capacity-limiting illnesses to set conditions for future MAID.
Sources Split
LEFT
CENTER
RIGHT
+1
+1
+1
ESTAB
CRIT
CENTER
PRO
ESTAB
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
As Ottawa's Liberals push Bill C-41, Saskatchewan is right to ensure any advance-request policies it adopts do not weaken existing MAID safeguards. Bill 73 bars MAID for minors, people with mental illness as their sole condition and those who lack capacity, while protecting doctors who refuse to participate. With MAID deaths rising in every province, suicide prevention and conscience rights deserve priority over expanding access.
Government-critical narrative
Saskatchewan's move to restrict some advance MAID requests could set a precedent for conservative provinces, leaving the option unavailable to most Canadians despite strong public support. More than 46,000 people responded to Health Canada's consultation, yet provinces could block access even if Parliament approves Bill C-41. Canadians who want to make their end-of-life wishes known in advance deserve that choice.
