Medical Assistance in Dying Committee on May 5th, 2026

[Yonah Martin]

In your testimony, you talked about how we haven't done a full review. I agree, because the numbers are showing increasing “choice of or uptake of” MAID. We also hear about more cases of problematic situations. What specifically do the current outcomes tell you that makes a 2027 expansion unsafe?

[Alexander Schadenberg]

It's impossible to expand MAID to mental illness when you consider how the current law is working and also how the language is set in the law. I say that for two reasons. One is the question when I answered the previous question about irremediability: If you cannot determine irremediability, then, obviously speaking, people would not qualify.

Let's say you have someone from their own professional experience deciding that this person was irremediable, then it would be, once again, a situation of doctor shopping, where people who wanted to die by MAID would go to that specific psychiatrist because that's the one who's willing to approve them. They only have to say, according to the law, that they're “of the opinion” the person fits the criteria of the law—

[The Joint Chair, Liberal, Marcus Powlowski]

Thank you, Mr. Schadenberg.

We go now to Senator Moodie for three minutes.

[Rosemary Moodie]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Long, I would like to ask you questions about indigenous consultations. In reviewing the Dying with Dignity website in preparation for these hearings, I was struck by the fact that you amplify the voices of diverse communities.

There is a conversation you have on the website with an indigenous mother, Marion Brown, and her daughter, Danielle Wilson-Brown, who have a podcast, “Before I Go...Embracing the Journey of MAiD”.

You clearly are attentive to evidence about, and seek to engage, indigenous people. We have heard in this committee that the only consultation with indigenous peoples in Canada was the 250 people answering an online questionnaire. Of course, it is essential to properly consult indigenous people. I ask you this question: Are you aware of anything more that was done besides the online questionnaire?

[Helen Long]

Yes. Health Canada issued a report in 2025 with a number of engagements, virtual, in person and round tables across the country, as well as surveys and consultations. You can also see several stories on our website are related to people with indigenous stories related to care, assistance in dying and related topics. In the podcast from the Browns, they also talked with indigenous consultants, practitioners and families that had been involved.

There's quite a broad breadth of expertise in that space.

[Rosemary Moodie]

Thank you.

Ms. Duncan, your mother's case was reviewed by the B.C. oversight committee, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC and the police. There was no finding of professional misconduct or criminal conduct of any sort. There was no disciplinary action. There were no charges passed. Multiple psychiatrists were involved in her care. Multiple MAID assessors were involved in her care.

Do you agree with what I just said?

[Alicia Duncan]

The College of Physicians said it was a criminal matter and referred us to the police. The police investigation was then halted, because they couldn't access the MAID assessment records that the health authority denied them and repeatedly denied our family as well. There's nothing we can do to get them.

[Rosemary Moodie]

I think we have a problem here. If what you're saying is that a health authority refused to give the police information, then that would be a problem.

[Alicia Duncan]

It's a huge problem. This is what I continue to talk about. This is a very, very huge problem.

[Rosemary Moodie]

I don't think it's a problem of MAID assessors, and I don't think it's a problem of choosing MAID and providing MAID. I think this is a systems problem that is between the police and the health care system. That is the problem.

[Alicia Duncan]

Do you think we should expand this program that's irresponsible?

[Rosemary Moodie]

Excuse me, Ms. Duncan. I ask the questions here.

Thank you for your answer.

[The Joint Chair, Liberal, Marcus Powlowski]

Thank you, Senator Moodie.

We go now to Senator Osler for three minutes.

[Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to all the witnesses for being here today.

Ms. Long, you've been the CEO of Dying with Dignity for six years. In your testimony this evening, you stated that people “want the autonomy to make medical decisions”. You provided three perspectives and quotes.

Would you share with the committee the perspectives you have heard, in your work with the organization, regarding autonomy?

[Helen Long]

Yes, certainly.

We are a human rights organization. We are focused on end-of-life choice and care, so the perspectives we hear are generally supportive of MAID. Individuals wish the ability to control their final days. They wish to be able to choose what kind of health care they receive as they near end of life. They want to make decisions for themselves. While most people want to involve family and loved ones, ultimately, individuals want to make their own decisions. They want to be informed about all the options. They want to be able to choose themselves which path to go down.

[Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler]

Thank you.

You provided three quotes from people. Are they outliers?

[Helen Long]

They're outliers in terms of the number of individuals we work with. Most of the people we talk to are people who wish to access MAID under track 1, or who are gathering information about MAID under track 1. We hear from people talking about track 2 as well, people living with disabilities or illnesses but who are not reasonably foreseeable. Then there's a smaller number in relation to mental illness.

Again, of the people we hear from, many of them are not providing information that would suggest they're eligible. There are more stories on our website, maybe 20, like the small quotes I provided. They represent most of the individuals we've heard from who have a truly compelling story and who feel that they may actually be able to access MAID through this channel at some point. Some are individuals we have lost during the years of delay, of course.

[Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler]

Lost to....

[Helen Long]

To suicide.

[Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler]

Thank you, Ms. Long.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Joint Chair, Liberal, Marcus Powlowski]

Thank you.

Senator Wells, you have three minutes.

[Kristopher Wells]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Long, our committee has heard testimony primarily from multiple witnesses who disagree that MAID should be allowed for persons with a mental illness, despite empirical evidence to substantiate these claims. One of the arguments that's been brought up a few times is the idea that someone who is suicidal or has suicidal ideations can easily access MAID. But we know that here in Canada, to access MAID under the law, a person must meet very strict eligibility requirements. Being suicidal is not an eligibility criterion to access MAID.

From your experience, do you believe people with suicidal ideations can easily access MAID? As well, based on your experience, have the people who have sought MAID simply given up, or have they genuinely tried to make every possible treatment first before making the decision to request MAID?

[Helen Long]

No. The stories I recounted in quotes are from individuals who have had decades of treatment. They have tried every option available. These are individuals who generally have access to good care. They're usually fairly affluent or in a good situation, so they have been able to access the care they need. They feel they have no ability to get any better than they are. Read Claire's story on our website. I provided a number of these in my original submission. She acknowledged that she has had good days from time to time, but not in recent years. She feels she will never be well enough to live a life that is fulfilling and happy.

There are a number of these stories. These are individuals who truly have made every effort and finally decided that they are not prepared to continue to go on. That is their choice. They have consulted with their psychiatrists and clinicians. They're not making the decision in a vacuum. In many cases, like Claire's, they have the support of family around them.

[Kristopher Wells]

Thank you.

[The Joint Chair, Liberal, Marcus Powlowski]

Thank you, Senator Wells.

We'll now go to the second round of questioning, starting with Mr. Lawton for three minutes.