The Next MAID Expansion Could Change Everything

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of expanding Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, focusing on mental health and ethical considerations.

| S03 E22 | On the cusp of the 10th anniversary of MAiD in Canada, and as our country prepares to expand Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to cases where mental illness is the sole underlying condition, important questions remain about safeguards, mental health care, physician conscience rights, and the protection of vulnerable people. In this final episode of Season 3, Deacon Eric Gurash and Dr. Brett Salkeld welcome Larry Worthen of the Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada for a conversation about the future of MAID, the challenges facing patients and physicians, and the Christian call to accompany those who suffer with dignity, compassion, and hope.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:02 Tour Stories02:40 MAID Expansion Explained05:26 Legal Origins and Slippery Slope09:03 Burden and Human Dignity11:00 From Burden to Infanticide15:08 Conscience Rights and Doctor Duties17:24 MAID as "Treatment"18:30 Real Cases and Warnings20:09 Safeguards Always Fail22:09 Normalize Suicide Agenda23:34 Doctor Shopping Loopholes24:51 Keanu Case Explained26:57 Care Wait Times Crisis28:24 Palliative Care Underserved30:13 Suicide Line After Expansion33:54 Church Response39:11 Dying…

People in this episode

Hosts: Deacon Eric Gurash, Dr. Brett Salkeld

Guest: Larry Worthen

Topics covered

• Medical Assistance in Dying
• mental health care
• physician conscience rights
• vulnerable people
• Christian response to suffering
• safeguards in healthcare

Keywords

• MAiD
• mental illness
• safeguards
• human dignity
• conscience rights
• palliative care
• suicide prevention

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada

Places: Canada

More episodes of Thinking Faith Catholic Podcast

• Integral Ecology and Mining in the Amazon | Fr. Dario Bossi on Faith and Justice · May 14, 2026 · 39 min
• Do Miracles Still Happen? Signs, Science, and Faith · April 14, 2026 · 40 min
• Why Does God Allow Suffering? Faith, Evil, and Hope Explained · April 1, 2026 · 43 min
• How Do I Know It’s God? Catholic Discernment, Consolation, and Desolation Explained · March 3, 2026 · 41 min
• Eucharist, Adam and Eve, and Images of Jesus: Catholic Theology Explained · February 17, 2026 · 41 min
• Archdiocese of Regina Lenten Retreats Bring Catholic Social Teaching to Life · February 4, 2026 · 28 min