REGINA — Saskatchewan adults with capacity-limiting diseases could make an advanced request for medical assistance in dying if new federal legislation passes. The province’s health ministry has released clarifying details about a bill it tabled Monday on MAID. It says it plans to develop necessary policies to safely implement advanced MAID requests. Recently introduced federal legislation proposes that adults with capacity-limiting diseases can make advanced requests while they still have capacity to consent. Ottawa says advanced requests are currently not allowed under the Criminal Code and that they must be permitted by provincial legislation. Saskatchewan’s proposed legislation says practitioners shouldn’t provide MAID if they believe the person lacks capacity immediately before receiving it. But it says MAID could be provided in those situations if certain sections of the Criminal Code apply to the person. Sections of the code cited in Saskatchewan’s bill say MAID can be administered to people without final consent as long as they meet all criteria, including a written arrangement if they lose capacity. Saskatchewan is also proposing to prevent MAID to those under 18 and make it prohibitive for those whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. MAID is already illegal in Canada to those younger than 18. Ottawa would also prohibit MAID to those whose sole condition is mental illness. Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
