Veterans’ cases raise fresh concerns about expanding assisted dying law

Revelations that some Canadian veterans have been offered assisted deaths while seeking help from the federal government are adding to concerns about Ottawa’s plans to expand such procedures to include mental-health injuries and illnesses.

While medical assistance in dying was approved in 2016 for Canadians suffering from physical injuries and illness, the criteria is set to expand in March to include those living with mental-health conditions.

That plan has already sparked concerns from psychiatrists across the country, who have warned that Canada is not ready for such a move.

Now some veterans’ organizations who provide mental-health support to ex-Armed Forces members are also sounding the alarm after Veterans Affairs Canada confirmed an employee spoke to at least four veterans about assisted deaths.

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The organizations say the government should be investing more in caring for veterans, many of whom are forced to wait months and even years for assistance, rather than making it easier for them to take their own lives.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that the government is looking at striking the right balance between providing access to assisted deaths and protecting vulnerable Canadians, including veterans.