Alberta proposed a bill that would limit the use of medically assisted dying solely to end-of-life circumstances. The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit doctors from unilaterally raising MAID with patients and ban public advertising of MAID in healthcare facilities.

"This legislation strengthens safeguards and restores clear limits on eligibility to protect vulnerable Albertans facing mental illness or living with disabilities," Premier Danielle Smith said. "Those struggling with severe mental health challenges need treatment, compassion and support, not a path to end their life at what may be their lowest moment."

The proposed legislation would enshrine conscience protections for healthcare professionals and institutions. Alberta is the first jurisdiction in Canada to independently propose limits on medically assisted dying.

"Recovery from mental illness and suicidality is possible, expected even," said Mara Grunau, Chief Executive of the Canadian Mental Health Association's Alberta division. "For that reason, we welcome the steps Alberta is taking to strengthen protections for those experiencing mental illness."

Canada first legalized euthanasia in 2016 for people with terminal illnesses before expanding it to people with serious and chronic physical conditions following a court case in Quebec. In 2021, Canada expanded access to medically assisted dying to people with serious, incurable illnesses or disabilities even if their death was not reasonably foreseeable.

Canada plans to expand access next year to people whose only medical condition is mental illness, though the planned expansion has been delayed twice. In 2024 around 96% of medically assisted deaths had a death deemed "reasonably foreseeable" due to severe medical conditions such as cancer.

Medically assisted deaths accounted for roughly 5% of deaths in Canada according to federal government data. Eligibility for MAID in Canada is established federally but provinces are responsible for the delivery and regulation of healthcare.

There has been widespread debate in Canada about the expansion of medically assisted dying and concerns that appropriate safeguards may not be in place. In Canada, people over 18 must meet requirements to be eligible for assisted dying including having a serious and incurable illness, making a voluntary request that is not the result of external pressure, and being in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability.