Medical Assistance in Dying
This project engages Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ kin’s voices in the conversation around Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), with a focus on mental illness eligibility and culturally informed perspectives. Through consultations, LFMO developed 59 recommendations to inform policy and address gaps in culturally safe healthcare and mental health services for Métis people.
Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak’s (LFMO) project explores the evolving inclusion of mental disorders as a sole underlying medical condition (MD-SUMC) within Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) framework.
Recognizing systemic inequities in healthcare, the project centers Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ kin's voices to ensure their perspectives shape this critical discussion. By creating safe spaces for dialogue, the initiative addresses knowledge gaps and advocates for culturally informed healthcare and mental health policies tailored to Métis people unique needs and experiences.
Participants emphasized the need for funding and implementation of preventative care measures to address the healing needs of Métis people, rather than relying solely on crisis response resources.
The majority of participants voiced opposition to accessing MAiD for mental disorders, citing factors such as mistrust of the healthcare system, insufficient mental health resources, limited consultation and self-determination in relation to the MAiD MD-SUMC model, and other concerns.
A key concern raised by those who opposed the MAiD MD-SUMC was that its implementation would make it easier for Métis people to access a pathway to die than to obtain the resources necessary to live well.
The conclusion of this project emphasizes the need for Health Canada to consult Métis governments and communities across the Motherland on MAiD MD-SUMC, to establish a Métis task force for ongoing oversight, to address the Expert Panel’s 19 recommendations, and to develop accessible communication materials in multiple languages, including English, French, and Michif dialects.
Related Resources
The following resources are associated with this project. Click ‘View All’ to explore our Resource Library.
