Canada is killing itself

[Allan]

The Atlantic takes a deep dive look at Canada's medical assistance in dying program. The wide acceptance of the procedure by politicians, patients and medical practitioners is based on the concept of "patient autonomy", the same philosophy that resulted in the government getting out of the way of abortion services.

The article is paywalled so I'll post a few important sections to enable discussion.

When Canada’s Parliament in 2016 legalized the practice of euthanasia—Medical Assistance in Dying, or MAID, as it’s formally called—it launched an open-ended medical experiment. One day, administering a lethal injection to a patient was against the law; the next, it was as legitimate as a tonsillectomy, but often with less of a wait. MAID now accounts for about one in 20 deaths in Canada—more than Alzheimer’s and diabetes combined—surpassing countries where assisted dying has been legal for far longer.

It is too soon to call euthanasia a lifestyle option in Canada, but from the outset it has proved a case study in momentum. MAID began as a practice limited to gravely ill patients who were already at the end of life. The law was then expanded to include people who were suffering from serious medical conditions but not facing imminent death. In two years, MAID will be made available to those suffering only from mental illness. Parliament has also recommended granting access to minors.

At the center of the world’s fastest-growing euthanasia regime is the concept of patient autonomy. Honoring a patient’s wishes is of course a core value in medicine. But here it has become paramount, allowing Canada’s MAID advocates to push for expansion in terms that brook no argument, refracted through the language of equality, access, and compassion.

I personally know two people who've used the procedure. Both had it carried out in their home with their families by their side. My own sister decided not to have the procedure and fought her cancer for about two years. I respect the decisions of all three people as it was their own courageous choice.

The MAID program can be viewed here.

Canada Is Killing Itself

The country gave its citizens the right to die. Doctors are struggling to keep up with demand.

www.theatlantic.com

 

[Cameron]

I think many states in the US will legalize this in the coming years as Baby Boomers become unable to care for themselves and there are shortages of nursing homes and home health aides. I'm sure conservatives will kick and scream all the way about it.

 

[ataraxia]

One of my favorite philosophers, Gilles Deleuze, killed himself by throwing himself out a window. He had been a smoker and it had devastated his body. He had had a lung transplant and a tracheostomy. He could no longer speak and was perpetually chained to his oxygen tank.

To me, that's so ironic and tragic as I read his writings- bursting at the seams with joy and the celebration of life, of growth, of curiosity, of novel ways of seeing the world, of anticipation, of possibility, of thriving and flourishing in an ever-changing world.

But there seem to be times when even someone like that feels it's time to throw in the towel and call it quits.

 

[Allan]

I think many states in the US will legalize this in the coming years as Baby Boomers become unable to care for themselves and there are shortages of nursing homes and home health aides. I'm sure conservatives will kick and scream all the way about it.

Iirc eleven states allow the procedure but the eligibility requirements are stricter than Canada's.

 

[Napoleon]

There’s just something very dark and creepy about government funded suicide. Especially now that’s it the 5th leading cause of death in Canada and will only climb once the mentally ill are allowed to use it in lieu of treatment starting in 2027.

 

[Brusan]

My wife and I have actually raised this topic with our G/P and had the foresight to suggest he have a staff witness present before we began any discussions.

The conundrum facing our concern was the what-if scenario of onset of dementia/Alzheimer's disease. We were aware of the catch 22 within current legislation stating that one must be cognizant and lucid while also having a terminal illness.

Our concern

 

[Hari Seldon]

The Atlantic takes a deep dive look at Canada's medical assistance in dying program. The wide acceptance of the procedure by politicians, patients and medical practitioners is based on the concept of "patient autonomy", the same philosophy that resulted in the government getting out of the way of abortion services.

The article is paywalled so I'll post a few important sections to enable discussion.







I personally know two people who've used the procedure. Both had it carried out in their home with their families by their side. My own sister decided not to have the procedure and fought her cancer for about two years. I respect the decisions of all three people as it was their own courageous choice.

The MAID program can be viewed here.

Canada Is Killing Itself

The country gave its citizens the right to die. Doctors are struggling to keep up with demand.

www.theatlantic.com

We do it for our pets and call it humane.

 

[Allan]

My wife and I have actually raised this topic with our G/P and had the foresight to suggest he have a staff witness present before we began any discussions.

The conundrum facing our concern was the what-if scenario of onset of dementia/Alzheimer's disease. We were aware of the catch 22 within current legislation stating that one must be cognizant and lucid while also having a terminal illness.

Our concern

There is a robust discussion taking place on the concept of advance directives for MAID. Currently only Quebec allows advance directives in certain situations.

We're now limited to Do Not Rescusite or Allow Natural Death directives for events like cardiac arrest.

 

[Str8shooter]

The Atlantic takes a deep dive look at Canada's medical assistance in dying program. The wide acceptance of the procedure by politicians, patients and medical practitioners is based on the concept of "patient autonomy", the same philosophy that resulted in the government getting out of the way of abortion services.

The article is paywalled so I'll post a few important sections to enable discussion.







I personally know two people who've used the procedure. Both had it carried out in their home with their families by their side. My own sister decided not to have the procedure and fought her cancer for about two years. I respect the decisions of all three people as it was their own courageous choice.

The MAID program can be viewed here.

Canada Is Killing Itself

The country gave its citizens the right to die. Doctors are struggling to keep up with demand.

www.theatlantic.com

@Allan, thanks for posting this for discussion. Both of my parents died from cancer. I have a firsthand take on this subject as the child of two parents who died from cancer.

My mom had lung cancer. In fact, she smoked and, when first diagnosed, continued to smoke. After all, it was a "small spot in her lungs." She was monitored and didn't do much other than take medicine that really didn't affect the cancer. Then, it got real. After the fourth time, my brother, sister, and I were called to her bedside, waiting for her to die, she stopped smoking. I will admit that I was really angry at her because it took so long for her to stop. My Dad stopped smoking after the first small spot was discovered to try and help motivate my mom to stop. By then, she was taking the chemo, ... and sick all of the time. Life for my mom was not pleasant, but she was alive. After that last call to her bedside, she asked me to stop all of the treatments. I talked to my dad, and we took her out of the hospital and placed her in Hospice. Allan, that was in April of 2011, and she died December 4th, 2011. Sure, she was pretty sick at times, but she had good days as well. Thanksgiving of 2011 was one of the best days for my family, while she went through all of this. I often think about that day. I think that my Mom would tell you that she was thankful for that last year in Hospice.

My Dad was diagnosed with 4 different cancers. He fought the good fight. As with my Mom, he had a spot in his lungs. That spot was amazing. Sometimes, doctors said it was there, and sometimes they said it wasn't. In the end, it was there. Dad also had skin cancer. I took him to the Veterans Administration for treatments. (VA) He hated them. Still, he had large areas that had to be treated. One day, Dad received a phone call from the VA telling him that it was important for him to come in, but they would not be specific. My Dad continued to ask why he needed to come in so the person said that they found something in their tests. My Dad had not been to the VA for over a year. A BLANKING YEAR! He had prostate cancer. Long storyd short, (kind of short) Dad didn't go gently into the night. I read that poem to him. @Allan, my Dad fought these cancers for a very long time and lived until the age of 92. He lived to be the oldest person in our family.

I guess what I am saying that I understand someone wanting to end the pain. I also see reasons why a person might want to live even though the pain can be terrible.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46569/do-not-go-gentle-into-that-good-night

 

[Along Came Jones]

There is a line from the 1975 movie Posse that has Bruce Dern's outlaw character saying, "Everyday above ground is a good day." Through multiple hospitalizations for a variety of life threatening events, on the one hand, I've found that quip to be true. On the other hand, I sense the time will come when there are no good days being above ground. What then?

I've prepared and filed a DNR and assigned medical proxies. When or if those prepared options are exercised I will not be a conscious participant. In what conscious circumstances would I not choose to struggle? How bad would the chronic pain or disability need to be to render my life unlivable? If I reached that state of resignation would I really care whether or not any authority condoned or assisted with my decision?

 

[Sweden]

The Atlantic takes a deep dive look at Canada's medical assistance in dying program. The wide acceptance of the procedure by politicians, patients and medical practitioners is based on the concept of "patient autonomy", the same philosophy that resulted in the government getting out of the way of abortion services.

The article is paywalled so I'll post a few important sections to enable discussion.







I personally know two people who've used the procedure. Both had it carried out in their home with their families by their side. My own sister decided not to have the procedure and fought her cancer for about two years. I respect the decisions of all three people as it was their own courageous choice.

The MAID program can be viewed here.

Canada Is Killing Itself

The country gave its citizens the right to die. Doctors are struggling to keep up with demand.

www.theatlantic.com

In the UK The Assisted Dying Bill, far more restricted than Canada's MAID, has passed the House of Commons but is yet to be voted om in the House of Lords. The religions are mounting a strong propaganda campaign against Assisted Dying using MAID as a scare tactic. I'm very much in favour of assisted dying and think that the 'will dye within six months' condition must be removed.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/20/uk/uk-assisted-dying-commons-vote-gbr-intl

 

[holbritter]

Not sure how I feel about this. Not that it matters to Canada...lol.
I understand and agree with it, up to a point. Not sure it's right for mental illness or for minors (unless said minor falls into the terminally ill category as originally intended).

 

[Allan]

Not sure how I feel about this. Not that it matters to Canada...lol.
I understand and agree with it, up to a point. Not sure it's right for mental illness or for minors (unless said minor falls into the terminally ill category as originally intended).

Mental illness has been delayed as more study was needed. A person suffering schizophrenia may request it but is that informed consent?

Minors is also tricky and will require restrictions. Minors who consider suicide at some point quite often grow out of it or respond well to treatment, going on to live calmer and fulfilling lives.

In the case of a minor the parents absolutely must have the final word.

 

[Allan]

@Allan, thanks for posting this for discussion. Both of my parents died from cancer. I have a firsthand take on this subject as the child of two parents who died from cancer.

Great of you to share your experiences. I think like most people any decision I'd make would be partly based on what I've seen loved ones endure.

That has to be considered in parallel with information about what treatment options are available today that my older relatives didn't have access to. Cancers that were once invariably fatal are now quite treatable.

 

[Evilroddy]

Mental illness has been delayed as more study was needed. A person suffering schizophrenia may request it but is that informed consent?

Minors is also tricky and will require restrictions. Minors who consider suicide at some point quite often grow out of it or respond well to treatment, going on to live calmer and fulfilling lives.

In the case of a minor the parents absolutely must have the final word.

Allan:

What guidance would you offer in the case of a minor whose two parents disagree? Should both parents (assuming they are adults) and a compos mentis but ill minor all agree? What is the possibility of a minor being "persuaded" by adult parents and later claiming lesion? Can an emancipated minor make the decision on their own?

MAID for minors are a legal minefield in my opinion and so is extending MAID to those of all ages with mental illness.

Be well and be safe and try to avoid becoming a self-MAID man!
Evilroddy.

 

[Allan]

Allan:

What guidance would you offer in the case of a minor whose two parents disagree?

I think the default should be all parties agree - both parents, both doctors and the minor.

What is the possibility of a minor being "persuaded" by adult parents and later claiming lesion?

The minor patient can decline the procedure at any point. The steps involved in evaluating qualifications for the procedure have to include questions to insure they've not been unduly pressured.

Can an emancipated minor make the decision on their own?

Yes.

MAID for minors are a legal minefield in my opinion and so is extending MAID to those of all ages with mental illness.

Yup. I'd be especially concerned about MAID for minors suffering from mental illness.

Be well and be safe and try to avoid becoming a self-MAID man!
Evilroddy.

Good one!