Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has closed an investigation into allegations that veterans were offered assisted suicide, stating it found only four incidents where medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was “inappropriately discussed,” according to a report.
The veteran said the agent he talked to told him she had helped another veteran obtain MAiD and that former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member ultimately ended his life after those discussions.
According to the investigation report, VAC “reviewed all 402,000 files in its client databases dating back to June 2016 when MAiD legislation came into effect.”
The report said that while additional allegations were brought forward, “VAC thoroughly investigated each of the allegations which included a Veteran’s full name and was unable to validate any allegations that inappropriate discussions related to MAiD had taken place.”
“All additional allegations have been confirmed to be unfounded,” the report stated.
‘Totally Unacceptable’
MacAulay issued a statement and an apology on March 10 when the report was released, stating, “At no time has Veterans Affairs Canada ever had a mandate to provide advice on MaiD.”The report identified that improvements are needed in quality assurance, monitoring, reporting procedures, and staff training and guidance, and said the department planned an internal audit later this year. VAC states it plans to “deliver mandatory and clear employee training and materials” to staff on assisted suicide, and to enhance reporting procedures to “ensure that significant incidents” are raised to the assistant deputy minister and deputy minister levels.
Additionally, the report said the department would review the “escalation process” and consult with veterans and others on whether the recording of telephone calls with case managers and VAC service agents should be implemented in the future. VAC agents have been told they are not to raise the topic of MAiD and must refer to a supervisor if the client brings it up.
These calls are currently not recorded, as the department says it wanted to protect privacy and build a trusting relationship with the veterans, according to the report.
“Recording conversations would be a significant shift in practice for VAC, however the Department is open to hearing from Veterans on this approach,” the report said.
“The distress this situation has caused to those involved and the Veteran community as a whole cannot be underestimated. The Department deeply regrets what transpired and takes very seriously issues related to MAiD and Veterans’ well-being,” said the report.