Bill C-260 MAID Preventing Coercion
C-260 An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Medical Assistance in Dying — Protection Against Coercion)
Short Title: Preventing Coercion of Persons Not Seeking Medical Assistance in Dying Act
Bill Type: Private Member’s Bill
Bill Sponsor: Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan)
Status: 2nd Reading — debate April 29, 2026. This Bill hasn't passed yet.
How would YOU vote? Scroll down to vote and comment below.
WHO GAINS POWER
- Patients and vulnerable persons gain protection from unsolicited MAID conversations initiated by government officers or employees in positions of trust or authority
- The criminal Law gains a new offense specifically targeting coercive or premature MAID discussions by non-medical government staff
WHO LOSES POWER
- Government officers and employees — excluding doctors and nurses — lose the ability to raise MAID as an option with a person unless that person has specifically asked to have that conversation
- Social workers, case managers, bureaucrats and other government staff in positions of trust or authority are directly affected
WHO GAINS MONEY
- No direct financial provisions in this Bill
WHO LOSES MONEY
- No direct financial provisions, though summary conviction carries potential fines for offending government employees
THE CATCH
- ⚠️The people most likely to pressure a vulnerable person about MAID are completely untouched by this Bill— doctors and nurses are explicitly exempt. The offence applies only to non-medical government staff, leaving the entire healthcare system outside the scope of this protection.
- ⚠️ "Position of trust or authority" is not defined in the Bill — which government roles qualify will be left up to the courts to determine
- The offense requires proof that the employee knew the person had not requested the discussion — establishing that knowledge in court may be difficult
- The Bill does not address MAID coercion by private sector employees, family members or healthcare institutions — only government staff are covered
- ⚠️The Bill does not protect people facing financial crisis— insurance companies, creditors and financial institutions face no restrictions whatsoever. A person with a mortgage, dependents and no income has no protection from being nudged toward MAID by anyone outside government.