Thu Feb 16, 2023 – 7:41 pm EST
(LifeSiteNews) – Most Canadians have concerns over expanding euthanasia to those suffering from mental illness, according to a new poll.
The poll, conducted by Angus Reid Institute and released Monday in partnership with Cardus, found that only 31% of Canadians are in favor of letting people with mental illness access medical assistance in dying (MAiD).
Over half of Canadians (51%) outright oppose the idea of expanding MAiD to those with mental illnesses, with 18% of people being unsure.
While 61% of respondents said they support the existing MAiD laws, 28% are opposed and 11% unsure.
A total of 52% of Canadians said the increase in MAiD has “cheapened the value of human life” in the country.
The Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau legalized euthanasia in 2016 and has continued to push for further expansions to who can qualify for state-sanctioned death.
The expansion to include those suffering solely from mental illness came as part of the 2021 passage of Bill C-7, which also allowed the chronically ill – not just the terminally ill – to qualify for doctor-assisted death.
The mental illness expansion was originally set to take effect next
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