Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)


Medical aid in dying involves the administration of medications by a doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner (SNP), at the patient’s request, in order to relieve their suffering by hastening death.

Who is this service aimed at?

When it comes to the eligibility requirements for medical aid in dying, a two-track approach was introduced into the Criminal Code: one for those whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable and another for those whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable.

To be eligible for MAiD, the individual must satisfy all of the following criteria: 

  • Be insured within the meaning of  the Health Insurance Act
  • Be of full age (at least 18 years of age)
  • Be able to give informed consent, meaning that the individual is able to understand the situation as well as the information given to them by the health professional and is able to make decisions 
  • Have a serious and incurable illness
  • Be in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capacity
  • Experience enduring and unbearable physical or psychological suffering that  cannot be relieved in a manner the patient deems tolerable 

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How can I benefit from this service?

You can direct your request to any healthcare professional. They have a professional obligation to provide you with support.  If they are unable to provide you with the required information or to assist you with your formal request, they must ensure that another professional can do so.

Health professionals must not ignore a request for medical aid in dying. 

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Where is this service offered?

You can have the discussion about where the medical aid in dying will be administered with the doctor or specialized nurse practitioner (SNP) who is overseeing your care. 

If you believe that your rights have not been respected, the Act Respecting Health and Social Services provides that you can submit a complaint with the Service Quality and Complaints Commissioner.   

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