This week, Health Minister Mark Holland endorsed a recommendation from a parliamentary committee to defer the enactment of the law. The Liberal government is trying to portray its (second) delay of the expansion of medically assisted death to those suffering solely from mental illness as a mere hiccup, a brief pause that will allow Ottawa to iron out some nagging technical issues.
“It’s clear from the conversations we’ve had that the system is at this time not ready, and we therefore need more time,” Health Minister Mark Holland told reporters on Monday, as the government endorsed a recommendation from a parliamentary committee to defer the enactment of the law, likely for another year. But Mr. Holland defended the premise of the law, saying it will help Canadians who have been trapped “in a mental-health nightmare” for decades and who want the relief of death “after trying absolutely everything