Canada Halts Expansion of Assisted Dying for Mental Illness

WHO:

BBC News - People with mental illness were to be eligible for assisted dying in Canada.

WHAT:

BBC News - Canada has suspended plans to expand assisted dying to people with mental illness indefinitely.

WHEN:

BBC News - The eligibility for assisted dying for people with mental illness was scheduled to begin in March 2027.

(UPDATED October 7, 2026 22:04 UTC)

Canada has indefinitely suspended plans to expand assisted dying to include people with mental illness. This decision comes just ahead of a scheduled eligibility start date of March 2027 for those individuals. Previously, the proposal had aimed to allow those with mental health conditions to access assisted dying services.