Only 3.6% of people who were deemed eligible for MAID withdrew their request.
Of those who were deemed ineligible for MAID in 2019, about a quarter were denied because death was "reasonably foreseeable," and an additional quarter were denied due to not being "in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability." Those requirements are likely to change for future years.
In September 2019, the Superior Court of Quebec found that the requirement that a person who receives MAID have a "reasonably foreseeable natural death" was unconstitutional. The Canadian government later announced that they do not intend on appealing this decision, and a piece of legislation titled Bill C-7 was introduced in February 2020 to further expand MAID criteria.
In addition to removing the requirement of a reasonably foreseeable death, Bill C-7 would also allow for advanced directives.
Cardinal Thomas Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto, released a statement in February criticizing Bill C-7 for expanding the criteria for MAID without expanding the availability of palliative care.
"Where is the political will to push forward on palliative care for all Canadians? Only 30% of Canadians have access to quality palliative care even though we know that pain and loneliness are among the biggest fears of those who are suffering. Palliative care can address these issues," said Collins.
"If all Canadians had access to quality palliative care, fewer would seek lethal injection. But instead of developing an overall culture of care, we are rushing towards death on demand," adding that doctors will be forced to comply with requests for euthanasia as Canada does not have conscience rights protections for medical professionals.
"We should take time to be truly present to those who may feel that they are on the margins in our community," said Collins.
"Those who feel that their life no longer has value must be assured by all of us that this is absolutely not the case - there is dignity within each human life, not just when we are young, healthy and able, but even more so, when we are fragile and vulnerable."
Christine Rousselle is a former DC Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. Prior to working at CNA, she was the managing web editor of Townhall.com; she has a BA in political science from Providence College.