Canada to unveil MAID law update today as justice and health ministers brief media

The federal government will outline updates to Canada's medical assistance in dying (MAID) law today. Justice Minister Sean Fraser and Health Minister Marjorie Michel are scheduled to hold a media availability from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. ET at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa.

What will be announced

According to the Justice Department's media advisory, the updates follow the government's earlier commitment not to expand MAID to people on the basis of a mental illness alone. They would also allow adults to consent in advance to receive MAID later, with rigorous safeguards, after a diagnosis of an incurable illness expected to take away their ability to make that decision.

Government officials will hold a background-only virtual technical briefing from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. ET before the media availability, which is open to accredited members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Background

Today's briefing is the next step after announcements in early October, when Fraser said the government would not extend MAID to people with only a mental illness and would legislate an indefinite extension of the exclusion, alongside an advance-consent bill. The specific bill text and timing are to be set out by the ministers at today's availability.

Medical assistance in dying remains a sensitive issue in Canada, touching on patient autonomy, medical ethics and protections for vulnerable people. This site will follow up once officials release the details.