Preventing Coercion of Persons Not Seeking Medical Assistance in Dying Act

Bill C-260 would change the Criminal Code to create a new criminal offence related to how medical assistance in dying (MAID) can be brought up with a person. Specifically, it targets government officers or employees, at either the federal or provincial level, who are not doctors or registered nurses (including nurse practitioners). If such a person is in a position of trust or authority over someone, and they start a conversation with that person about their eligibility for MAID without that person having specifically asked to have such a conversation, they could be charged with a criminal offence. This would be a summary conviction offence, meaning it's treated as a less serious criminal matter than an indictable offence.

The bill does not change the rules around who qualifies for MAID or how the procedure itself works. It also does not restrict doctors or registered nurses from raising MAID with patients, since they are explicitly excluded from this new offence. The focus is narrowly on preventing certain government officials or employees, acting in positions of trust or authority, from raising the topic of MAID with someone who has not asked about it themselves. The stated aim, as reflected in the bill's title, is to guard against situations where a person might feel pressured or coerced into considering MAID by an authority figure who brought up the topic unprompted.

This bill adds a new offence to the Criminal Code for government officials who bring up medical assistance in dying with someone who did not ask about it.

• Conduct criminalized — initiating a discussion with a person about their eligibility for medical assistance in dying, when the official knows the person did not specifically request such a discussion.
• Who is covered — any officer or employee of the federal government or a provincial government, provided they are in a position of trust or authority toward the person by virtue of their profession.
• Who is excluded — medical practitioners and registered nurses, including nurse practitioners, are not subject to this offence.
• Conditions required — both elements must be met: a trust/authority relationship arising from the official's profession, and knowledge that the person had not specifically requested the discussion.
• Penalty — the offence is punishable on summary conviction; the bill does not set out a specific fine or jail term for it.
• Oversight — the bill creates no new body, no regulation-making power, and no reporting, review or sunset provision; it operates as a standing addition to the Criminal Code.