In Canada, woman subjected to euthanasia against her will after husband's request

An illustrative photo: an elderly patient in a medical facility. Photo: Daily mail

In January 2026, an elderly woman in Canada was subjected to euthanasia several hours after her husband's repeated request, despite the fact that she had previously clearly stated her desire to live, reports the Daily Mail citing a report from the Committee for the Review of Euthanasia-Related Deaths in the province of Ontario.

The case involves an 80-year-old woman, known in documents as "Mrs. B.," who developed complications after heart surgery. Her condition deteriorated, however doctors did not consider it incurable. The woman chose palliative care and was discharged home, where she was cared for by her husband with medical staff support.

During an official medical assessment, Mrs. B. stated that she refused euthanasia for personal and religious reasons, and requested to be referred to a hospice. However, inpatient palliative care was denied. The next day, her husband, claiming severe burnout and fatigue from caregiving, secured an urgent review of the possibility of euthanasia.

The first doctor opposed the procedure, citing the abrupt change in decisions, lack of medical urgency, and possible pressure on the patient. Nevertheless, later that same day, two more specialists were brought in who approved the euthanasia. That evening, the woman was killed, despite her previously expressed desire to continue living.

The committee's report emphasizes that the case was handled within excessively compressed timeframes, without proper verification of alternatives, including palliative care. Committee members also pointed to the risk of external coercion from relatives and called what happened a troubling example of how Canada's euthanasia system leads to the deaths of vulnerable people, even when they directly oppose such a decision.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that a march against euthanasia took place in Paris.

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