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(LifeSiteNews) — The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has introduced a new law that, if passed, would ban euthanasia for those under 18, people with mental illness as the sole reason, and people who cannot make health decisions.
“The Medical Assistance in Dying Additional Safeguards Act will help ensure that vulnerable individuals receive appropriate care, treatment and supports while maintaining a safe and responsible MAID program,” said the provincial government under Premier Scott Moe.
Moe’s Saskatchewan Party government said that the new bill will offer stronger protections for vulnerable Canadians at risk.
The province’s Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in a press release: “This legislation establishes additional safeguards, particularly around young people, mental illness, and capacity, and strengthens protections for health care professionals who choose not to participate in MAID.”
The new law will ban euthanasia for the following:
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“Anyone under the age of 18;
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Anyone whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness; and
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Individuals who lack the capacity to make their own health care decisions.”
Canada’s euthanasia laws, or “Medical Assistance in Dying” (“MAID”) program, as it’s known, are federally regulated. However, provinces deliver and are fully responsible for health care and, as such, can put in place safeguards or limits to the practice.
The Saskatchewan government also said that the new law “responds to concerns raised by health care providers by strengthening protections for those professionals who choose not to participate in MAID.”
Euthanasia has been legal in Canada since 2016. Recently, ruling Liberals’ put forth Bill C-41, also known as the “safeguards act.” This bill would not require a practitioner to inform the person what is about to happen or even speak with them before their life is ended once an advance request is made.
The bill, at the same time, however, permanently blocks euthanasia for those with mental illness.
Current law in Canada does not allow assisted suicide for minors.
Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) recently blasted the new Liberal government bill that will allow people to be euthanized without their consent as a “horror.”
Conservative MPs have demanded that the ruling Liberal government explain what safeguards will be put in place for its new euthanasia bill.
Euthanasia in Canada has become increasingly prevalent. Recent statistics show that the nation recorded more deaths by euthanasia than murders by guns in the United States in 2024.
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