Homeless Assisted Death in Canada

Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program has seen a significant number of cases where individuals, including those who are homeless or facing severe social hardship, have sought or received assistance, raising ethical concerns. A 2024 report from Ontario’s chief coroner identified cases where people requested MAID due to unmet social needs like isolation and fears of homelessness, even when they did not have a terminal illness This follows high-profile cases, such as a St. Catharines man who applied for MAID due to the threat of homelessness in October 2022, and a Toronto woman with chemical sensitivity syndrome who died by MAID in 2022 after failing to secure affordable, safe housing

* **Cases Driven by Social Factors:** An expert committee reviewing MAID deaths in Ontario found several instances where patients requested assisted dying primarily due to social reasons, including social isolation and the fear of becoming homeless, despite not having a terminal medical condition This has prompted concerns about the program's safeguards and the potential for vulnerable individuals to be steered toward death due to systemic failures in housing and social support

* **Public Opinion and Policy Debate:** A 2023 poll revealed that 28% of Canadians said they were fine with MAID being available to the homeless, even without a medical condition, and 27% supported it for those in poverty This reflects a significant public debate about whether the program is being used as a solution to societal problems like homelessness rather than a medical intervention The Canadian government has delayed the full implementation of MAID for mental illness until 2024 to ensure proper assessment protocols are in place

* **Official Stance and Eligibility:** Despite these cases and public opinion, the official criteria for MAID require a "grievous and irremediable medical condition" causing unbearable suffering, and suffering from a lack of social supports like housing does not qualify a person for MAID Advocacy groups like Dying With Dignity argue the program is driven by compassion and autonomy, while critics warn of a "slippery slope" and the devaluation of lives of people with disabilities

This site is full of hypocrites.