For Canadians facing an incurable illness and living with intolerable suffering, medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a complex and deeply personal choice. The decision to request MAID must remain theirs, be voluntary, free from external pressure, and remain protected by rigorous safeguards.
Today, Canada's government introduced the MAID Safeguards Act, Bill C-41. It would establish rigorous safeguards to allow adults to consent in advance to receive MAID later, following a diagnosis of an incurable illness expected to take away their ability to make this decision. The advance request would allow their wishes to be respected even after they lose that ability, provided all requirements are met.
Since 2016, MAID has given people more choice over their own care. MAID is available only to adults with an incurable illness who meet strict eligibility requirements. This may include someone nearing the end of their life with cancer or someone whose incurable illness is causing irreversible decline. In either case, to be eligible for MAID, a person must also be experiencing intolerable suffering and provide informed consent, among other eligibility requirements. Rigorous safeguards must be followed, including the right to withdraw their request at any time.
