For some, the road to MAID is too difficult – Winnipeg Free Press

Opinion

Nothing about Canada's MAID Act was easy. Unfortunately, the nuances of how and when to use it are not easy to navigate.

The federal government has decided to delay changes to the country's Medical Assistance in Dying Act by three years to include people whose main reason for seeking it is mental illness. The delay is in line with the recommendations of the MAID Special Committee in its January 29 report.

It seems reasonable to take the time to consider adding mental illness to the list of reasons for allowing MAID. When the concept of MAID first began to spread, many people were concerned about how easily medically assisted death could be requested and received. Some wondered if it would be a nasty back door to euthanasia for “undesirable” people, thinking of even more dangerous applications.

The reason for the suspension is to ensure that the health systems of the provinces and territories have sufficient time to prepare, according to a statement released after accepting the government's proposal for a delay. That seems fair enough. Establishing guidelines, best practices, and appropriate training for working with individuals seeking MAID due to mental illness is a simple responsibility.

However, it begs the question why these measures are not in place already. MAID has been legal in Canada since 2016. After years of preparation by the provinces, the decriminalization of the mentally ill will be completed in March. Changing the timeline with a month to go is cruel to those waiting to join.

Consider the case of Cathy Van Buskirk, who is featured in this article as both an interview subject and Think Tank page contributor. Van Buskirk was treated for mental illness for 20 years before the treatment stopped working, and he is among the Canadians waiting for the MAID Act to include them as legitimate candidates for a peaceful and dignified end.

“It upsets me because it's not a physical illness, even though my brain is part of the anatomy and my brain hurts,” Van Buskirk said. Free press. “My brain doesn't produce serotonin. He lost the ability to create chemicals to make me happy.”

The vast majority of Canadians find it difficult, if not impossible, to imagine Van Buskirk's position. He and his doctors tried every possible combination of treatments for his illness, but to no avail. The end result, according to his description, is a life devoid of happiness, peace, or comfort. He seemed like a prime candidate for MAID. However, along with other Canadians with severe mental illness who are now being considered for MAID, he will have to wait another three years.