MAID: What safeguards are in place?

For immediate release:

December 12, 2024

QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Bobbi Ann Brady yesterday asked Premier Ford to ensure that vulnerable Ontarians experiencing non-terminal physical illness, mental health issues, economic challenges, or homelessness are offered solutions or management of their problems instead of death using Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).

 “The horror is clear, as we learn people with socioeconomic and psychological suffering are literally being driven to appointments with death providers instead of getting the counselling and necessary supports they need,” Brady said. “Premier, what is this government doing to ensure those marginalized by society are safeguarded with respect to MAID?” Brady asked.  

Brady reminded the Chamber that MAID euthanasia was initiated to provide compassion and dignity to those suffering through their final days with terminal illness. MAID was not created as an alternative to proper counselling and supports. Brady called the situation a crisis in caring.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones fielded the question and responded by stating that MAID is federally controlled and that there are Ontario-based controls to ensure that individuals who request MAID are vetted and it is the appropriate way for them to end their lives.

Brady countered that it was interesting that the minister mentioned that MAID is a federal issue, but the concerns Brady raised came straight from a report from the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario.

“Last year, a quarter of all MAID providers heard from the Coroner’s Office about possible violations of criminal law yet not a single instance was referred to police, only one was sent to the regulatory college,” Brady said. “Government should not be normalizing homicide as a medical treatment or allowing it to become an industry.”

Brady reiterated the Coroner’s Report cited Ontarians with a history of mental illness, suicidality, substance abuse, lack of housing, and social vulnerability see no hope as their issues are inadequately addressed or ignored in favour of a permanent so-called solution to what could be a temporary or manageable issue.

Minister Jones responded that Ontario is making social investments across the board. And at the last meeting of provincial health ministers, they all (health ministers) raised concerns about how MAID was being implemented and to their credit, the federal government has paused any expansion, which obviously is very good news for Ontario residents.