B.C. Judge Halts Alberta Woman's Assisted Death Amid Legal Scrutiny

The injunction raises questions about the application of Canada's MAID criteria and the role of judicial oversight in assisted dying cases.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge issued a 30-day injunction stopping a medically assisted death for an Alberta woman, citing potential legal and procedural concerns.
The woman, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and akathisia, sought MAID after her Alberta doctors declined her request, prompting her to contact Dr. Ellen Wiebe in Vancouver.
The woman's common-law spouse filed a civil claim alleging that Dr. Wiebe approved the procedure without consulting the woman's other doctors or thoroughly reviewing her medical history.
Justice Simon Coval noted the possibility of 'extreme, irreparable harm' and questioned whether the MAID process adhered to the legal criteria, as the woman's condition might be treatable.
The case highlights ongoing debates in Canada about MAID regulations, particularly concerning mental health conditions and the potential for judicial intervention in end-of-life decisions.