Case reference: MAID-XX-2022-FUAQ · Province not stated in sources · MAID raised by others; not requested · Confirmed by an official or institutional source
Who he is
He is a Canadian Forces combat veteran whose name has not been made public. He was injured in the line of duty, with post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. According to people close to him, by 2022 he was making real progress in recovering his mental and physical health. He has a family who stood by him.
What happened
While he was seeking treatment and services through Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), a VAC service agent brought up medical assistance in dying. Sources told Global News that he never raised it, was not looking for MAID, and was “deeply disturbed” by the suggestion. He complained several times before VAC apologized to him. Global News broke the story on 16 August 2022.
VAC confirmed to Global News that it was aware of an incident “where medical assistance in dying was discussed inappropriately,” said it “deeply regrets what transpired,” and said “appropriate administrative action will be taken.” It later confirmed four cases involving a single employee, who no longer works for the department, and referred them to the RCMP.
Why they were pushed toward MAID
This case is confirmed by the department itself. MAID was raised by a government employee whose job was to help a wounded veteran recover, while he was seeking treatment. “Providing advice pertaining to medical assistance in dying is not a VAC service,” the department said, and staff “have no mandate or role to recommend medical assistance in dying to veteran clients.” Advocates pointed out that veterans already face a higher risk of suicide than the general population.
In their own words
People close to the veteran told Global News that he and his family were “disgusted” by the conversation and felt “betrayed by the agency mandated to assist veterans.” They said the unprompted suggestion “disrupted his progress and has been harmful to the veteran’s progress and his family’s wellbeing.”
What this case shows
A wounded veteran asked his country for help to recover and was offered help to die. VAC has admitted that it happened and that it happened more than once. His case shows why MAID should never be raised by the agencies that control a vulnerable person’s support.
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