Canada's Upcoming Legislation to Allow Assisted Dying for Anorexic Patients

Canada is set to expand its criteria for medically assisted death (MAID) in March 2024, allowing individuals with mental illness as their sole underlying condition to choose MAID. While proponents argue that it is a matter of personal autonomy, disability rights and religious advocates express concerns about the potential risks and the lack of access to social services that could exacerbate suffering. Canada's Justice Minister defends the changes, stating that they have been implemented through careful evolution. In 2021, over 10,000 people died through MAID in Canada, with the majority conforming to legal rules. However, some cases have been referred for investigation, raising questions about the safeguards in place. Critics argue that mental illness alone should not be a criterion for assisted death, as it can be challenging to determine its irremediability and differentiate between pathological suicidality and a rational desire to die.