Choosing Death
Designed as a compassionate legal alternative for those facing life with intractable disease, pain and anguish, MAiD’s adoption in Canada has largely been celebrated as a humane and visionary public policy.
Over ten thousand Canadians ended their lives through medical assistance in 2021, the highest-ever total in the history of the program and a third of all cases since the program started in 2016.
But a growing chorus of critics are calling the application of the law a grim solution that provides suicide as a way to avoid falling through Canada’s shredded social safety net.
An eye-opening report by IJB/ Toronto Star shows the growth in use of MAID in Canada since it was legalized in 2016 has been faster than anywhere else in the world.
Assisted suicide: An area where the world needs less Canada
"We're a world leader in adopting MAID, but wouldn’t it be better to lead in providing support and comfort for everyone, as long as possible?" writes Toronto Star staff columnist Andrew Phillips.
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Dr. Sonu Gaind, head of the psychiatry department at Sunnybrook Hospital, said he is concerned about what the surge in medically assisted deaths "says about our society.” Giovanni Capriotti
Surge in medically assisted deaths under Canada’s MAID program outpaces every other country
The number of Canadians ending their lives through medically assisted death has grown at a speed that outpaces every other nation in the world. As Canada is poised to expand eligibility criteria under medical assistance in dying (MAID) legislation, data from all 11 countries where the controversial end-of-life treatment exists shows Canada is the fastest-growing adopter in history, an analysis by the Investigative Journalism Bureau and the Toronto Star has found.
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The Ultimate Choice podcast
The Ultimate Choice podcast
The Ultimate Choice is a groundbreaking documentary podcast produced by TVO Today in collaboration with the Investigative Journalism Bureau and the Toronto Star. This gripping series traces the compelling journey of Michael Fraser and his wife Ann. Michael, housebound by pain, and incurable disease, sees his choice for medically assisted death (MAID) as a powerful solution to his suffering. The series explores Michael’s motivations and how his decision affects his family, friends, and longtime doctor. Hosted by IJB investigative reporter Rob Cribb, the making of this podcast also challenges him to come to terms with his own family history as he dives into this highly charged story.
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Choosing Death
Michael’s choice
Michael Fraser was not terminally ill. But a constellation of factors – intractable disease, poverty, childhood sexual trauma, mental health challenges and the option of an assisted death – made him question whether his life was one worth continuing to live. For Fraser, death was ultimately preferrable.
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Ann Fraser stands inside her apartment with one of the last pictures taken of her with her husband Michael before he pursued medical assistance in dying. PAIGE TAYLOR WHITE / TORONTO STAR
Michael’s choice: The ethics of medical assistance in dying
A joint investigation between the Toronto Star and the Investigative Journalism Bureau followed the life — and death — of Michael Fraser to offer a glimpse into the complexity and ethics of Canada’s legislation around medically assistance in dying, and those that believe it is their only option.
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Michael Fraser ended his life via medically assisted suicide on Saturday July 2, 2022. Though he has a grave medical condition that doctors agreed made him suitable for MAID, Cribb is also talking to Fraser about to what degree the man's socio conomic hardships have factored into his decision. He is seen in his apartment with his girlfriend Ann Barry on June 30, 2022. RICHARD LAUTENS / TORONTO STAR
Is Canada expanding Medical Assistance in Dying too quickly?
The IJB’s Robert Cribb joins the Toronto Star podcast "It’s Political" to discuss Canada’s expanding MAiD legislation and the story of Michael Fraser.
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Michael Fraser chose to end his life at age 55. He wasn’t terminally ill, Andrew Phillips writes — he was unable to pay his rent and get outside. How is this remotely acceptable? RICHARD LAUTENS / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO
We’re all implicated in Michael Fraser’s decision to die
OPINION: Fraser chose to end his life at age 55. He wasn’t terminally ill — he was unable to pay his rent and get outside. How is this remotely acceptable?
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