Canada’s Assisted Death Program Approaches 100,000 Mark

As we near June 2026, the 10th anniversary of Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program is looming, and the statistics are becoming increasingly troubling. It is expected that the program will surpass 100,000 assisted deaths.

Critics, including host Allie Beth Stuckey, raise concerns about the groups impacted by this taxpayer-funded system: “Children, infants with disabilities, the poor, veterans, the elderly, the sick, and individuals dealing with mental health issues are among those targeted.”

In a recent episode of “Relatable,” Stuckey interviewed Canadian veteran and anti-MAID advocate Kelsey Schellen, who shared her fears regarding the implications for vulnerable populations in Canada.

Schellen’s personal experiences drive her stance against the program. Deployed to Afghanistan at just 19, she encountered severe trauma, resulting in multiple mental health diagnoses and injuries. She recalls, “I was given numerous medications and struggled with suicidal thoughts for a long time.” Some military personnel even suggested that dying might have been a better option for her.

Fortunately, Schellen found solace and healing through art therapy, which she credits with saving her life.

Today, she not only writes a book and hosts a podcast but also actively advocates against MAID, especially for the at-risk individuals it affects. “They target the vulnerable, those who feel voiceless or who may make tragic decisions due to their circumstances,” she explains.

Schellen tells the poignant story of her friend, Christine Gauthier, a fellow veteran. Despite her contributions to the country and her successes as an athlete, Gauthier was suggested to consider MAID after facing bureaucratic obstacles in accessing a wheelchair stairlift for her home. “When Canada needed her, she stepped up continuously… and all she wanted was a ramp,” Schellen laments. Yet, instead, she was met with the proposition of dying.

Schellen believes the treatment of Gauthier and other veterans reflects systemic injustices. When they come forward to testify about their experiences, they are often dismissed and labeled as liars by the government.

But concerns regarding coercion are perhaps just the surface of a much larger issue. Canada’s legislation allows for two pathways to access MAID. The first is for those whose death from natural causes is predicted, while the second applies to individuals with serious, non-fatal illnesses.

Schellen points out that the second category creates a massive loophole, where people may use manageable health conditions to qualify for assisted death based on mental health struggles.

Some funeral homes reportedly exploit this by offering facilities for these procedures, handling both funerals and cremations in-house. “That’s a disturbing profit-driven approach,” Schellen remarks.

Stuckey expresses her puzzlement over the financial motives at play: “I can’t help but wonder about the money involved here. Who benefits financially from these deaths?”

Schellen provides alarming figures based on available reports, mentioning that about 2,200 physicians participate in evaluating and facilitating MAID. Each assessment can result in significant financial charges, given the billing rates for evaluations.

However, it’s not just doctors and funeral directors profiting; Schellen argues the whole setup represents a government-funded operation driven by flawed incentives. She cites “Dying with Dignity,” a charity she describes as “the most prominent pro-death organization in the country,” which has amassed considerable funds over time.

The government, according to Schellen, is also saving a substantial sum by reducing support for vulnerable populations, viewing them as a financial burden.

Schellen highlights her injury at a young age as an example, suggesting the long-term costs of her care pose a dilemma for funding systems.

As the current MAID program faces these critiques, discussions are underway about its potential expansion. By 2027, a congressional committee will consider allowing access to MAID for those suffering solely from mental health issues.

Moreover, there are proposals advocating for the inclusion of infants, who are born with debilitating conditions, and terminally ill minors aged 12 to 17 in the program.

Schellen warns that there’s also a push to allow ten- to twelve-year-olds to make their own decisions about MAID, disregarding parental rights or medical decision-making. “They’re taking away parents’ rights to ensure proper care, while simultaneously proposing to broaden access to assisted death,” she notes. “Does anyone see the contradiction here?”

To gain a fuller understanding of the troubling realities surrounding Canada’s MAID program, Schellen emphasizes the importance of awareness about its potential spread to other regions, including the United States.