Physically healthy Canadian actress is seeking assisted suicide

A Canadian actress is asking a court to let her receive assisted suicide despite not having a terminal physical illness.

Claire Brosseau, 49, appeared outside the Ontario Superior Court of Justice this week after filing an emergency motion seeking an exemption from Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying program, often called MAID. Canada currently prevents people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness from qualifying for assisted suicide. However, that restriction will expire in 2027.

Brosseau, an actress, writer and comedian from Montreal, says she has battled severe mental illness for decades. She reportedly underwent numerous forms of treatment, including medications, therapy and electroconvulsive therapy.

“It’s unbearable. Every morning I wake up, I don’t think I’m going to make it through the day,” Brosseau said outside the courthouse.

Reports say Brosseau believes she meets nearly every requirement for MAID eligibility except that mental illness causes her suffering instead of physical disease. Canada legalized medically assisted suicide in 2016 and later expanded the law beyond terminal illness. Critics warn the country’s assisted suicide system has gone far beyond what many Canadians originally expected.

Brosseau says she rarely leaves home because of bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. She also described multiple failed suicide attempts over the years.

“I want to be clear about what these delays mean for me personally,” Brosseau said. “Every month of delay is another month of suffering that I am told I must simply endure.”

The case has divided even people close to her.

“I was furious. I really saw it as giving up,” her sister, Melissa Morris, told reporters.

Brosseau’s mother expressed grief over the situation while also acknowledging her daughter’s suffering.

“No mother ever wants to lose a child before them, but no mother wants to see incredible suffering,” Mary Louise Kinahan said.

One of Brosseau’s psychiatrists rejected the idea that assisted suicide is the only path forward.

“I believe she can get well,” psychiatrist Dr. Mark Fefergrad told reporters. “I don’t think [assisted suicide] is the best or only choice for her.”

Another psychiatrist, Dr. Gail Robinson, said she hopes Brosseau changes her mind but still supports her legal effort.

Brosseau and the advocacy organization Dying With Dignity Canada argue excluding mentally ill patients from assisted suicide violates Canada’s Constitution. Opponents of assisted suicide expansion argue the policy sends a dangerous message that society should give up on people struggling with mental illness instead of continuing treatment and support.

Assisted suicide was Canada’s fifth-leading cause of death in 2022, behind cancer, heart disease, COVID-19 and accidents.