Displaying items by tag: terminally ill

In Canada, the rate of medical assistance in dying, aka euthanasia, has increased for the fifth consecutive year, though at a slower pace. In 2023, about 15,300 people underwent assisted dying - 4.7% of all deaths in the country. This marks a 16% increase from the previous year, a sharp decline compared to the 31% annual rise in earlier years. The government is exploring expanding euthanasia to include those with mental illnesses, but that decision has been delayed because the provinces are concerned about whether the system could cope with such an expansion. Also, concerns about potential gaps in safeguards have grown, with some instances of individuals seeking euthanasia for non-terminal conditions, such as chronic disabilities or housing issues. These controversial cases have sparked ongoing debates about the program’s ethics and future expansion.