Preamble
Whereas: The Government of Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying legislation provides some benefits to applicants, there is evidence that the program is also being used to avoid supplying health and housing services to the public.
Whereas: Senators recommended in 2023 that MAID should be expanded to those with certain mental illnesses or disorders
Whereas: A poll indicates that over 60% of Saskatchewan residents disagree with allowing MAID to be used on the basis of poverty or homelessness, both of which have a high correlation with mental health disorders.
Direction
Be It Resolved That: A Saskatchewan Progress Party government will restrict healthcare providers from presenting MAID as an option to patients until all other solutions have been attempted, including but not limited to publicly funded:
- Housing
- Mental health supports (i.e. therapy, psychiatry) and treatments (i.e. free prescriptions)
- Medical or surgical interventions
- Appropriate income support
- Access to physicians and specialists on an urgent basis