Toronto woman who wants to die says federal MAID committee isn’t listening – CBC

Critics worry Canada’s assisted dying committee is failing to meet its mandate

Apr 28, 2026

Claire Elyse Brosseau has been waiting years for the Canadian government to let her die.

The 49-year-old has struggled for decades with a laundry list of mental diagnoses, including Bipolar 1 disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and disordered eating. All of this has made her life unbearable, she says.

“I wake up in the morning and the minute I open my eyes, I feel just a sense of … dread and panic,” she said.

It’s why the Toronto woman wants to end her life, but under current Canadian legislation she’s not eligible for medical assistance in dying (MAID) because she only suffers from mental illnesses. Next year, that’s supposed to change — though the federal government has already delayed twice.

The Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD) is currently working to advise the government on the eligibility of people like Brosseau. But Brosseau and some experts say AMAD is not adhering to its mandate, which is to undertake a “comprehensive review” of the topic. Some experts in favour of expanding MAID eligibility also say bias in the committee might lead to unfair recommendations.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/medical-assistance-in-dying-mental-illness-9.7176814