Canada legalized euthanasia in 2016, sparking a medical experiment that has become a global case study. The Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law now accounts for about one in 20 deaths in the country, surpassing other conditions like Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
Originally intended for terminally ill patients nearing death, MAID was expanded to include those with serious medical conditions but not facing imminent death. The law is set to be further expanded in two years to include individuals suffering from mental illness. Parliament has also recommended making euthanasia accessible to minors.
The 300 Canadian professionals attending an annual euthanasia conference illustrate the growing demand for the practice. As clinicians, they network and share best practices, much like any other medical convention. The shift is remarkable, given that administering lethal injections was once considered homicide. With MAID, Canada has become a hub for assisted dying, with over 10 years of momentum behind it.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/09/canada-euthanasia-demand-maid-policy/683562