Alberta officials are advancing legislation to tighten restrictions on Canada’s medical assistance in dying (MAID) program, as the total number of deaths under the policy surpasses 76,000 nationwide and debate intensifies over its scope.

Canada legalized assisted suicide in 2016 under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, initially limiting eligibility to adults with serious and incurable medical conditions causing enduring suffering. Since then, the program has expanded significantly, both in the number of participants and the criteria for eligibility.

According to the Canadian government’s most recent report, 16,499 individuals died through MAID in 2024 alone, accounting for more than 5% of all deaths in the country that year. A portion of those cases involved individuals who were not terminally ill. Cumulatively, more than 76,000 Canadians have died through the program since its inception.

Federal plans would further expand eligibility beginning in March 2027 to include individuals whose sole underlying condition is mental illness, a move that has drawn growing concern from some provincial leaders and advocacy groups.

In response, Alberta Attorney General Mickey Amery has introduced the Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act, which aims to impose stricter limits on the use of MAID within the province. The proposal would bar access for minors, individuals with only mental illness, those unable to provide informed consent, and cases where death is not reasonably foreseeable.

The legislation would also restrict referrals for MAID assessments outside the province, allow health care providers and institutions to opt out of participation, and introduce penalties for violations of the rules.

Amery said the measure is intended to restore MAID as a last-resort option, citing the rapid growth of the program. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith echoed that position, stating that individuals facing mental health challenges should receive treatment and support rather than access to assisted death.

Supporters of the legislation, including policy groups and religious organizations, argue that the changes would strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals. Critics, however, say the proposal could limit personal choice and raise legal concerns, particularly as national policy continues to evolve.

The dispute underscores a widening divide in Canada over the future of assisted suicide, with Alberta positioning itself in opposition to further federal expansion while other advocates push to maintain or broaden access.