A report by the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD) was tabled in the House of Commons on February 15, 2023, calling for an expansion of euthanasia (MAiD) in Canada. Among other recommendations, the report recommends that euthanasia be expanded to include children "mature minors."

Recommendation 16 of the report states that the Criminal Code should be amended to extend (MAiD) euthanasia to mature minors.

Recommendation 19 in the report states: 

That the Government of Canada establish a requirement that, where appropriate, the parents or guardians of a mature minor be consulted in the course of the assessment process for MAID, but that the will of a minor who is found to have the requisite decision-making capacity ultimately take priority.

This means that parents or guardians may or may not be consulted in the killing of a child that is deemed capable of decision-making.

In September 2018, the Journal of Medical Ethics published a paper titled, “Medical Assistance in Dying at a paediatric hospital”. This paper proposed a policy for implementing euthanasia for children that was developed by a committee at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The paper stated that, if legalized, euthanasia of children could take place without the knowledge or consent of the parents.

We oppose euthanasia for children “mature minors”.

Children should be protected and cared for, not killed.

There are many concerns about euthanasia for mature minors, including the competency of the child, parents facing emotional and psychological pressures, and the false concept that denying children euthanasia is a form of discrimination.

Children need protection, care and love. Protect children’s lives.

Child euthanasia. We say, “NO.”

More information:

Protect children’s lives from euthanasia (Link to article)

Canadian Children may be euthanized with or without parental consent (Link to article)

Government report recommends euthanasia for children and euthanasia by advanced directive (Link to article)

Sick Kids Hospital Toronto will euthanize children with or without parental consent (Link to article)

Belgium: Euthanasia of Newborns Practiced Outside the Law (Link to article)