A woman in her 80s was euthanised in Canada at the behest of her husband [1], 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.