Alberta Premier Danielle Smith opposes assisted-dying expansion as Ottawa eyes delay
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says the province objects to Ottawa's plan to extend eligibility for medically assisted death to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness.
An update to assisted-dying law passed in 2021 included a two-year sunset clause that would see the expansion take effect this March.
Federal Justice Minister David Lametti is now seeking further delay because he says there are concerns that health-care systems might not be prepared, and the Liberal government wants to do more consultation.
Smith's office said it objects to Ottawa moving forward with expanding eligibility for assisted dying "without agreement" from Alberta.
"Given the government of Alberta's responsibility to deliver health-care services and to regulate the health-care profession, we object to the federal government moving forward with expanding … eligibility without agreement from the province," a statement from Smith's office said.
Her office said the province is consulting with experts about the potential effects that expanding eligibility would have on Alberta's health-care system.
Lametti's office says the courts have "made it clear that MAID is a Charter-protected right" but it is aware of the "concerns expressed by some experts about the need for greater protections of vulnerable people and would like a short delay."
His office says the Liberal government will work to pass a law to delay the expansion and collaborate with provincial and territorial counterparts so a "strong framework" is available when the expansion does happen.
Alberta appears to be the only province willing to object to the expansion of medical assistance in dying to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder.
Ontario said in a statement the federal government is responsible for determining eligibility criteria and safeguards for medically assisted death.
"Ontario adheres to the requirements as dictated by federal legislation," said a statement from Hannah Jensen, press secretary for the province's Health Minister Sylvia Jones.
Some federal lawmakers have argued that excluding people with mental illness from access to assisted dying would violate their Charter right to equal treatment under the law.
When he announced the government's intention to delay the expansion, Lametti said he had heard concerns from health-care providers about the system's ability to handle the "more complex" cases.
"That includes having the time to implement those practice standards, and to complete and disseminate key resources that are being developed for clinicians and other health-care system partners," he said in December.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Competition bureau finds 'substantial' anti-competitive effects with proposed Bunge-Viterra merger
The proposed merger of agricultural giants Viterra and Bunge is raising competition concerns from the federal government.
Douglas DC-4 plane with 2 people on board crashes into river outside Fairbanks, Alaska
A Douglas C-54 Skymaster airplane crashed into the Tanana River near Fairbanks on Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers said.