Claire Brosseau
Canadian actress and comedian Claire Brosseau has reignited a national debate after seeking approval for a medically assisted death under Canada’s Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) programme, citing decades of severe mental health suffering. Ms Brosseau, 48, said she has lived with complex psychiatric conditions since childhood, including mood and anxiety disorders and substance dependence.
In interviews and public writing, she has described her suffering as “unbearable” and resistant to treatment, despite years of care across North America. She said she has pursued extensive medical and therapeutic options, including long-term psychiatric treatment, multiple medications and a range of therapies, without lasting relief. Supporters argue her case highlights the limits of current treatments for some patients and the importance of respecting personal autonomy.
Canada expanded MAiD in 2021 to include people whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable. However, eligibility for those whose sole underlying condition is mental illness has been repeatedly delayed, amid concerns about safeguards, capacity and the risk of coercion. The federal government has said it is continuing consultations before allowing such cases to proceed.
Ms Brosseau’s application has prompted strong reactions from clinicians, ethicists and advocacy groups. Some mental health professionals warn that permitting assisted death for psychiatric illness could undermine suicide prevention efforts and disproportionately affect vulnerable people. Others argue that excluding mental illness is discriminatory and fails to recognise the severity and persistence of some conditions.
The Canadian government has emphasised that MAiD decisions require rigorous assessments by independent practitioners and that patient safety remains paramount. Provinces and territories have also introduced additional oversight measures. The case has drawn international attention, reflecting broader questions faced by health systems worldwide about how to balance compassion, autonomy and protection in end‑of‑life care. As lawmakers consider next steps, Ms Brosseau’s request continues to focus public scrutiny on how Canada addresses profound, treatment‑resistant mental illness.
