A woman in her 80s was euthanised in Canada at the behest of her husband, despite preferring palliative care which was denied to her.

Canadian authorities are now investigating the case as a possible instance of coerced consent.

The woman had experienced complications after a coronary bypass surgery, spent time in palliative care, was discharged and left in the care of her husband.

She then submitted a request for assisted suicide [MAiD in Canada], but subsequently told an assessor she still preferred palliative care based on her personal and religious beliefs, and she “wanted to withdraw her request.”

Her husband requested a second opinion as a matter of urgency and, unusually, within the span of one day, she was assessed, approved, and given MAiD.

However, according to a report released by the Ontario MAiD Death Review Committee, the initial MAiD practitioner expressed concerns about “the possibility of coercion or undue influence”. Members of the Committee echoed those concerns.