Dr. Sonu Gaind is an Associate Professor with the University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry and Chief of Psychiatry/Medical Director of Mental Health at the new Humber River Hospital in west end Toronto. Prior to joining Humber River in 2014 he worked as a psycho-oncology consultant at Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network for a decade and a half. Dr. Gaind is a past-president of both the Ontario Psychiatric Association and of PAIRO, and is an Executive Member and Medical Practice and Tariff Chair of the Ontario Medical Association Section on Psychiatry. Following being elected the Ontario representative to the Canadian Psychiatric Association Board in 2013 and then President-Elect in 2014, he assumed presidency of the national association in October 2015. In addition to teaching at the University, Dr. Gaind has been Education Chair for the Ontario Psychiatric Association and Course Director for two international continuing medical education organizations. In addition to his academic and leadership roles, Dr. Gaind has maintained a community practice consulting to family physicians since residency.

Justine Dembo completed her MD degree and psychiatric residency at the University of Toronto, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada. She trained and worked at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, in the Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, prior to moving to Los Angeles. She specializes in OCD and related disorders, anxiety disorders (phobias, panic, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety), and she also enjoys working with people who suffer from depression, PTSD, and relational challenges. She works primarily with adults.

Learning Objectives

Understand the context of the Carter decision ruling and its impact on Physician Assisted Death / Medical Assistance in Dying policy in Canada.

Appreciate issues that must be taken into account when considering key terms in the Carter decision’s ruling – like irremediable, intolerable and enduring suffering, and capacity – in the context of mental illness.

Appreciate relevant cultural issues that may impact policy, patients, and health care providers.

Be aware of input of medical associations on evolving Physician Assisted Death / Medical Assistance in Dying issues and legislation.