A Canadian veteran was reportedly offered euthanasia as a treatment for his post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury by an employee of the country’s veterans affairs service, which later said the practice was discussed “inappropriately.”
The worker for Veterans Affairs Canada brought up euthanasia, or medical assistance with ending one’s life, usually in cases of a severe or incurable disease or illness, unprompted as a form of treatment to the veteran, according to Global News.
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The veteran, who has not been publicly identified, was “disturbed” by the employee’s suggestion and felt “betrayed” by the agency for suggesting euthanasia. Veterans Affairs Canada has apologized to the veteran for the suggestion and taken action against the employee, according to the report.
Veterans Affairs Canada confirmed to the Washington Examiner a situation with a veteran “where medical assistance in dying was discussed inappropriately.”
“VAC deeply regrets what transpired. Once we were made aware of the incident, we immediately issued an apology directly to the Veteran and are investigating what occurred,” the department told the Washington Examiner. “While we cannot speak to internal processes involving an employee due to privacy issues the department understands the significance of the situation and appropriate administrative action will be taken. Additionally, we have not found any other similar incidents and while unfortunate, this isolated incident is not indicative of a pattern of behaviour or a systemic issue.”
The department said that “providing advice pertaining to Medical assistance in dying is not a VAC service” and employees for VAC have “no mandate or role to recommend medical assistance in dying to Veteran clients.”
The department also confirmed it will help veterans who have decided to pursue medical assistance in dying voluntarily understand support and services and said employees “are trained in situations involving Veterans who may be in crisis situations.”
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The report comes as Canada’s policies surrounding the controversial treatment have gained international attention. In 2021, there were more than 10,000 deaths by euthanasia in the country of roughly 38 million people.
Physician-assisted suicide is legal in Oregon, Montana, Washington, Vermont, California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, and New Mexico.
