The BC Humanist Association (BCHA) is calling on Justice Minister Sean Fraser to reject the recommendation of the federal Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD), which, on June 17, 2026, recommended that the government "indefinitely exclude" persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental disorder from eligibility for medical assistance in dying (MAID). This recommendation is a violation of the Charter rights affirmed in Carter v Canada, an act of discrimination against Canadians with mental illness, and a failure to honour the individualized assessment process the law already requires.
The BCHA has long advocated for the right to die with dignity. We believe any framework must be rooted in compassion, evidence, and individual autonomy. When it comes to the exclusion of persons with mental disorders from MAID, the government must act on the following:
- Uphold Charter Rights: Reject the Committee's recommendation. The Supreme Court's ruling in Carter v Canada established the blanket prohibition on assisted dying for those with irremediable conditions is in defiance of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Commit to the 2027 Deadline: What was sold as a temporary measure has survived three extensions. The government must allow the legislated March 17, 2027, expansion to proceed and stop deferring a right it cannot legitimately deny.
- Fund Mental Healthcare-Not restrict rights: Canada's mental health system is underfunded and inequitable. The answer to that failure is investment in care, not the removal of a Charter right from the people those failures have hurt most.
- Mandate Secular Access: All publicly funded health facilities must be required to provide MAID. Religious institutions cannot be permitted to obstruct a legal right.
It is imperative that we work together to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals, ensuring that mental illness does not become a barrier to the compassionate choices available to Canadians.
Every Canadian deserves the right to die with dignity, free from the constraints of biases or institutional morals. It is time for our leaders to act decisively, ensuring that the choices of Canadians, especially those grappling with mental illness, are respected and honoured. Everyone should have the autonomy to determine the course of their own life. The time for action is now.
Take Action: Write to Your MP
The government's deadline to respond to the committee's recommendation is July 11, 2026. That means there is a narrow window for Canadians to make their voices heard.
Write to the Justice Minister and your Member of Parliament today