REGINA — Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill has written a letter to a federal committee to express opposition to a proposed expansion of the MAID program.
Cockrill sent a letter this week to Sen. Yonah Martin and Dr. Marcus Powlowski to "formally advise the federal government and the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying of its objection to the proposed expansion of MAID for individuals whose sole underlying condition is mental health."
On social media, Cockrill posted the following about his letter:
"We understand that the federal government is continuing to consider expansion of MAID. Let me be clear, the Government of Saskatchewan opposes the expansion of MAID to those with mental illness as the sole underlying condition."
In his correspondence, Cockrill said the priority of the Saskatchewan MAID Program has "always been patient well-being and safety, while also respecting the wishes and personal convictions of patients, families and health-care providers."
He wrote Saskatchewan "has previously urged the federal government to pause the implementation of the expansion of MAID eligibility to mental illness" to ensure the program had sufficient resources, clinical capacity and safeguards to protect patient well-being and safety.
"The scope and expansion fail to consider the complexity of these cases and the potential risk that it may pose to people suffering from mental illness."
Cockrill added the government strongly opposes the expansion of MAID and "remains firmly committed to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that those who suffer from mental illness receive the care and support they need."
