Canada indefinitely suspends planned assisted-dying expansion for people with mental illness

Canada has indefinitely suspended plans to extend medical assistance in dying to people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness, citing a lack of consensus on eligibility. The change means the expansion will not take effect by March 2027 as previously planned; a court challenge over an earlier delay remains pending.

Why it matters. The decision affects eligibility for assisted dying in Canada and the policy remains subject to a pending court challenge.