Tragic Loss: Canada's MAID Program Claims the Life of a 26-Year-Old Struggling with Depression
- Jason
- Jan 9
- 3 min read
January 9th, 2026
By: Jason LaFace
In a heartbreaking development that underscores the deepening concerns surrounding Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program, a 26-year-old man named Kiano Vafaeian was euthanized on December 30, 2025, in Vancouver. Kiano, who battled depression alongside diabetes-related visual impairment, became yet another statistic in a system increasingly criticized for its lax safeguards, particularly when it comes to mental health issues.
This case, facilitated by Dr. Ellen Wiebe—a physician who has administered euthanasia to over 400 individuals—highlights a disturbing loophole in Canadian law. Despite a federal ban on MAID for those suffering solely from mental illness until 2027, Dr. Wiebe proceeded, exploiting ambiguities in the regulations.
Kiano's story is one of profound vulnerability. His mother, Margaret Marsilla, shared her anguish in a poignant Facebook post, revealing that no efforts were made to connect Kiano with family support, therapy, medication, or other interventions before his life was ended.
Marsilla had previously intervened in 2022, successfully halting an earlier euthanasia attempt through a public petition and media exposure. Tragically, those efforts couldn't prevent this outcome. Now, as the family prepares for Kiano's funeral on January 10, Marsilla vows to seek accountability from Dr. Wiebe, who has faced prior investigations for similar practices, including performing euthanasia in a nursing home against facility rules.
This isn't an isolated incident. Recent court battles in Calgary further illustrate the program's controversial reach. In a high-profile case, a 27-year-old woman identified as M.V., living with autism and ADHD, was granted the right to proceed with MAID despite her father's desperate pleas.
ustice Colin Feasby ruled in favor of M.V.'s autonomy, denying an injunction and full judicial review sought by her father, W.V., who argued that his daughter was vulnerable and potentially incompetent due to undiagnosed psychological conditions. The decision emphasized M.V.'s dignity and self-determination over familial concerns, even as it allowed a 30-day stay for appeal. M.V.'s approval process involved a "tie-breaker" third doctor after initial disagreements, raising questions about the independence of assessments.
Adding to the ethical storm is the forced integration of MAID into healthcare facilities, even those with religious objections. In British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health has established MAID units on the campuses of Catholic-run hospitals like St. Paul's, despite strong opposition from providers like Providence Health Care, which aligns with Catholic teachings condemning euthanasia as morally impermissible.
The "Shoreline Space," operational since early 2025, serves as a workaround where patients are transferred for the procedure. Critics, including Dr. Will Johnston of the Euthanasia Resistance Coalition of B.C., decry this as government overreach and "totalitarianism," imposing death-affirming practices in spaces dedicated to life and healing. Lawsuits, such as one filed by the family of Sam O'Neill—who was compelled to transfer for MAID—continue to challenge these arrangements, arguing they violate constitutional rights.
From my own perspective, these cases expose a dangerous flaw in Canada's MAID framework: its expansion threatens the most vulnerable, especially young adults grappling with mental health challenges. Kiano Vafaeian's death at just 26 years old is a stark reminder that depression—a treatable condition—should never be grounds for state-sanctioned euthanasia. Mental illnesses like depression often stem from temporary crises, influenced by factors such as isolation, trauma, or inadequate support systems. Allowing MAID for younger individuals in these states isn't compassion; it's a failure of society to provide real help. Therapy, medication, community resources, and time can lead to recovery and renewed purpose—options that were seemingly bypassed in Kiano's case.
We must draw a firm line: MAID should not be available to those under a certain age or whose primary suffering is mental rather than terminal physical illness. The slippery slope is evident—over 60,300 MAID deaths since 2016, with nearly 5% of all Canadian deaths in 2023 attributed to the program.
Expanding it further to mental health, even delayed until 2027, risks normalizing suicide as a solution rather than addressing root causes. Initiatives like MP Tamara Jansen's Bill C-218, which seeks to permanently ban MAID for mental illness, deserve urgent support.
As we reflect on Kiano's untimely end and similar stories, Alberta Radio calls for a national reckoning. True dignity lies in protecting life, not ending it prematurely. Let's advocate for better mental health resources and stricter safeguards to prevent more families from enduring this unimaginable pain.
What are your thoughts, readers?
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