Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsCanadaMajority of Canadians unaware of planned MAID expansion for mental illness: pollParliament is awaiting a special committee report before deciding whether to continue with the expansionLast updated 12 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Regardless of knowledge of the MAID expansion, opinions on the issue remain deeply divided. Photo by Getty ImagesThe majority of Canadians are unaware that mental illness eligibility for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is due to take effect in March 2027, a new poll has found.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe data compiled by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute comes from an online survey conducted between May 7 and 11, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,803 Canadian adults. It showed that 56 per cent of respondents did not know about the scheduled expansion of mental illness as a sole condition for MAID before completing the survey.The survey also found that just 37 per cent of Canadians had been following the issue.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againRegardless of prior awareness of the expansion, opinions on the issue remain deeply divided. Among those aware of the 2027 expansion, 46 per cent said they support it, while 44 per cent are opposed. For those who had been previously unaware of the expansion, 42 per cent said they support it, and 37 per cent are opposed.The proportion of respondents who said they were “not sure” whether they support or oppose the expansion was 21 per cent among those who were previously unaware of it, compared with 10 per cent for those who had been following news about MAID.In February 2024, the federal government passed legislation delaying the implementation of MAID for people whose only underlying medical condition is a mental illness until March 2027. Ottawa is currently awaiting a committee report before deciding whether to continue with this timeline.Elsewhere, the Angus Reid poll looked at support among Canadians for the original 2016 MAID framework, which restricted MAID eligibility to patients with a medical condition where death was reasonably foreseeable, and compared it with support for subsequent eligibility expansions.The survey data showed that “Canadians express growing hesitation as eligibility expands beyond those whose deaths are reasonably foreseeable.”Nearly four in five Canadians (77 per cent) support the original 2016 MAID criteria, but support falls to 53 per cent for the 2021 expansion, which saw MAID become available to people with a serious, incurable illness or disability whose death is not reasonably foreseeable.Opinion divides sharply on mental illness as a sole condition, with overall numbers showing 43 per cent support the measure, 39 per cent oppose it, and 19 per cent are unsure.Three-quarters of Canadians (74 per cent) say the government should first demonstrate that adequate housing, income supports, and disability-related care are available before MAID is offered to someone with a disability.Views on mental illness as a sole MAID condition divide sharply by political affiliation. Liberal voters lean in favour (51 per cent support), as do NDP (55 per cent) and Bloc Québécois (61 per cent) voters. Conservative voters are the most opposed, with 57 per cent against the expansion and 29 per cent supporting it.The current delay on expansion is due to expire in March 2027, but recent reports suggest the federal government expects a parliamentary committee to recommend a further postponement, and that the government will likely follow that advice.When asked by reporters last month about his personal position on MAID, Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “I’m waiting to see the report of the interparliamentary committee. I haven’t received any briefings specifically on it.”Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.