Canada is facing criticism once again for its progressive stance on assisted suicide, with calls for the eligibility of state-sanctioned deaths to be extended to the homeless and poor.

A recent survey revealed that more than a quarter of Canadians believe that being impoverished or unhoused should be sufficient grounds for a doctor to administer a lethal dose of drugs, the Daily Mail reported.

The survey, which polled 1,000 adults, also indicated significant support for assisted suicide, known as Medical Aid in Dying (MAID).

A large number of respondents believed that MAID should be available to individuals with disabilities, mental illnesses, or those who cannot access medical treatment.

Critics argue that Canada has descended into a free-for-all euthanasia system since legalizing these procedures in 2016, with over 10,000 people ending their lives through MAID each year.

Lord David Alton, a British peer, expressed his dismay over the survey results, tweeting, “One third of Canadians are fine with prescribing assisted suicide for homelessness.

Shameful. Homeless people need a roof over their heads, not a lethal injection. End homelessness, not the lives of the homeless.”

Conducted by Canadian polling firm Research Co, the survey found that 27% of respondents believed MAID should be available for those living in poverty, while 28% held the same view for the country’s approximately 30,000 homeless individuals.

Additionally, 43% of Canadians supported mentally ill individuals seeking assistance from a doctor to end their lives, and half of the nation believed those with disabilities should be eligible for MAID, as reported by the Daily Mail.

The survey also revealed widespread general support for the MAID program, with nearly three-quarters of Canadians believing that the country has appropriate policies in place to allow individuals to seek medical assistance in dying.

As Canadian politicians deliberate on the issue, there are discussions about potential expansions of the assisted suicide program to include children and individuals with mental illnesses.

Written by staff