Canada has been described as having one of the most liberal systems of assisted dying in the world, similar to that operating in the Netherlands and Belgium.
It introduced 'Medical Aid in Dying’ in 2016, initially for terminally ill adults with a serious and incurable physical illness, which causes intolerable suffering.
In 2021, the need to be terminally ill was removed, and in two years' time, the Canadian government plans to open Maid to adults solely with a mental illness and no physical ailment.
Joining Kieran in Toronto to discuss this is Dr Chantal Perrot, board member at DWDC and a MAID Assessor and Provider as well as Dr Sonu Gaind, Chief of Psychiatry at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.