Assisted dying: Canada grapples with plans to introduce euthanasia for mental illness

A growing number of countries now permit some form of assisted dying and politicians in a number of others, including Ireland, Scotland and France, are now seriously debating it.

In Canada, where medical assistance in dying, known as MAID, became legal in 2016, the government intends to extend eligibility to people whose sole reason for ending their life is mental illness. But the planned expansion, now twice delayed, is controversial. In this episode, we speak to a leading psychiatrist, Karandeep Sonu Gaind, professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto about the situation in Canada and why he’s a vocal opponent of the expansion. 

Also featuring Patricia Nicholson, health and medicine editor at The Conversation in Canada.

This episode was written by Gemma Ware and produced by Mend Mariwany and Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Subscribe to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.

Further reading and listening:

• Should people suffering from mental illness be eligible for medically assisted death? Canada plans to legalize that in 2027 – a philosopher explains the core questions
• MAID and mental health: Does ending the suffering of mental illness mean supporting death or supporting better lives?
• Medical assistance in dying for mental illness ignores safeguards for vulnerable people
• MAID’s evolving ethical tensions: Does it make dying with dignity easier than living with dignity?