Canada to indefinitely bar assisted dying for people whose sole condition is mental illness

Canada's federal government said Wednesday it will indefinitely exclude people whose sole health condition is mental illness from medical assistance in dying.

• Justice Minister Sean Fraser said the government would indefinitely bar people whose sole condition is mental illness from accessing assisted dying, citing a lack of consensus.
• The ban, due to be lifted by March 2027, follows a parliamentary committee recommendation this year that eligibility be indefinitely excluded.
• Fraser said lawmakers will also seek to decriminalize advance requests, allowing patients with Alzheimer's to choose assisted dying before losing capacity.
• A federal case led by Dying With Dignity Canada challenging the government's earlier delay on mental illness access remains before the courts.