Critics caution against plan to expand medical assistance in dying to those with mental illness

Hope is what kept Laurel Walker alive as thoughts of suicide overwhelmed her, and that is exactly what she says would be stripped from people battling the same darkness if Canada forges ahead with plans to expand medical assistance in dying to those with a mental disorder.

Hope is what kept Laurel Walker alive as thoughts of suicide overwhelmed her, and that is exactly what she says would be stripped from people battling the same darkness if Canada forges ahead with plans to expand medical assistance in dying to those with a mental disorder.

Proponents of the expansion, set for March 17, maintain that providing MAID to people with an incurable physical illness without giving the same right to those with an irremediable mental illness amounts to discrimination on the basis of a disability. Critics counter that there is insufficient evidence to predict whether or not someone will recover from a mental illness.

Recent comments out of Ottawa suggest expansion is not a certainty. Justice Minister Arif Virani said Wednesday that cabinet will consider the input of a joint parliamentary committee, medical experts and other stakeholders in deciding "whether we move ahead on March 17, or whether we pause."

Walker, 44, said her biggest concern is that vulnerable people languish on long wait lists and can't afford to pay for psychological care that is not publicly funded.

"That is a disconnect, and for that reason I think it's irresponsible to go ahead with MAID for mental health," said Walker, who developed anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in her 20s, when she was hospitalized.

Her struggle with depression began in high school but she said the care she needed was not available in her home province of Nova Scotia. It took about 20 years for her to secure treatment at a private in-patient facility in Ontario.

"I attempted suicide in 2005. I ended up locked down at the hospital. I wouldn't have been able to rationally make a decision, but I could apply for MAID (soon)," said Walker, adding she has not needed any mental health services in the public system since completing treatment a decade ago.