Sources say a VAC agent brought medical assistance in death, or MAID, without prompting to speak with the veteran. Global News is not identifying the veteran who sought treatment. However, multiple sources tell Global News that the combat veteran never raised the issue, nor was he looking for a MAID, and was deeply disturbed by the suggestion. Multiple sources and VAC told Global News that the discussion took place. Sources close to the veteran say he and his family are disgusted by the conversation and feel betrayed by the agency mandated to help veterans. The sources said the veteran was seeking services to recover from injuries sustained during his service and had positive improvements in his mental and physical health. They say MAID’s seamless offering interrupted his progress and was harmful to the veteran’s progress and his family’s well-being. Story continues below ad
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Global News also learned of follow-up calls in which the agency apologized to the veteran, but only after he filed multiple complaints with VAC. In a statement, Veterans Affairs confirmed the department is aware of what it called an incident between a veteran and a VAC employee “where medical assistance in dying was inappropriately discussed.” “VAC deeply regrets what happened,” the statement said, adding that the agency is investigating the incident and that “appropriate administrative action will be taken.” VAC would not discuss the nature of the ongoing investigation or the specifics of the consequences the employee may face, citing privacy concerns. The department also did not respond to questions from Global News about how many times assisted dying has been offered to veterans through that particular VAC official or others at Veterans Affairs, or what instructions the officials have been given about giving such advice. Sources who spoke to Global News are concerned that this is not an isolated incident and that more veterans could be improperly assisted to die, putting their lives and mental health at risk. They added that they are concerned that other veterans have already received similar offers, which have not been verified by Global News.
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Story continues below ad Medical assistance in dying became legal in Canada in 2016, with further amendments approved in 2021 that expanded who could request the procedure. Another change to allow people with mental disorders to access assisted dying is due to come into effect in March 2023. The law clearly states that requesting assisted dying is subject to discussions between patients and primary care providers, something the Veterans Affairs statement also emphasized. “Counseling about medical assistance in dying is not a VAC service,” the statement said, adding that agency employees “have no mandate or role to recommend medical assistance to veteran clients.” The department noted, however, that it can offer assistance to veteran clients and their families after the veteran has already made the decision to pursue an assisted death with their primary care provider. Veterans Affairs did not respond to Global News’ questions about how many veterans have access to agency resources to proceed with assisted dying. Veterans who spoke to Global News said their concern about offering VAC assisted dying stems from the mental health impact it could have on veterans. A 2017 Veterans Affairs report found that Canadian Forces veterans have a higher risk of suicide compared to the average population. The federal government introduced a suicide prevention strategy for military personnel and veterans that same year, after a spate of suicides during the final years of the war in Afghanistan put a spotlight on the issue. Story continues below ad 2:14 Veteran calls for better mental health education, training Veteran calls for better mental health education, training – May 27, 2019 The strategy promised to improve services and support available to military members and veterans in the hope of increasing awareness and reducing the number of suicides in both populations. This included adding more medical staff, training staff on how to react if someone shows warning signs of suicide and introducing new measures to ease the transition to civilian life for those leaving the Forces. The latest report from the Department of National Defense found that 12 members of the Canadian Forces took their own lives in 2021, while another 69 died between 2015 and 2019. Veterans advocates told Global News they are concerned the numbers may be higher than what the federal government officially tracks. — with files from The Canadian Press © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
