Medical Assistance in Dying

ATTENTION: While this resource is based on the best available information to date, there may be gaps to the process that cannot be addressed at this time. Every effort will be made to update this resource as new information becomes available. This resource was last updated in September 2021. A French translation of the resource is in process and will be added to CEP’s site when it becomes available. 

UPDATE (September 2021): Changes to Canada’s MAID legislation have become law, including eligibility criteria, procedural safeguards and final consent requirements. Canada’s most recent MAID legislation outlines two different tracks for the provision of MAID for eligible persons who wish to pursue a medically assisted death: whether their natural death is reasonably foreseeable (Track One) or not reasonably foreseeable (Track Two). The CEP has revised the resource to reflect these changes. The updated resource now includes two PDF documents to guide providers through both Track One and Track Two of the provision of MAID.

UPDATE (2019): New federal reporting requirements for medical assistance in dying are in effect as of November 1, 2018. This resource has been updated to reflect those requirements. For more information, please refer to the federal regulations, Health Canada’s website, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website.

UPDATE (2018): The CEP has revised the MAID Resource based on established provincial legislation and services regarding MAID. In 2017, Ontario passed Bill 84, Medical Assistance in Dying Statute Law Amendment Act 2017 which amended six provincial laws. The province also established a Care Coordination Service (CCS) to improve accessibility and referrals to MAID. The revised MAID Resource: includes in-document hyperlinks for easier and more intuitive use; incorporates the CCS as a referral, information and support service for clinicians providing MAID, clinicians with conscientious objections and patients; and incorporates the amendment to the Coroners Act that an investigation into the provision of MAID is no longer mandatory and is up to the discretion of the Coroner.

On June 16, 2016, the federal government passed legislation to amend Canada’s Criminal Code and established a framework for medical assistance in dying (MAID) for individuals who meet pre-defined eligibility criteria. MAID, as defined by the Government of Canada, refers to: the administering by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner of a substance to a person, at their request, that causes their death; and/or the prescribing or providing by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner of a substance to a person, at their request so that they may self-administer the substance, and in doing so, cause their own death.

As part of its efforts to implement a consistent approach to the MAID process in Ontario, the Ministry of Health has engaged the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) to develop a resource to support clinicians (physicians and nurse practitioners) with the provision of MAID. This resource is intended to supplement, not circumvent, existing regulatory body requirements or institutional processes that have been implemented. The CEP’s MAID Resource is comprised of the following sections:

• Introduction
• Full pathway outlining process for the provision of MAID.
• Section One: Patient Inquiry
• Addresses the patient’s inquiry about MAID and exploring the reasoning behind their request; details clinician requirements with respect to conscientious objections & patient referral.
• Section Two: Assessment of Patient Eligibility for MAID
• Defines eligibility criteria & provides resources to support eligibility assessments; provides considerations when preparing for the provision of MAID.
• Section Three: Provision of MAID
• Outlines key steps for the provision of MAID, certification of death, and reporting.
• Section Four: Documentation Checklist
• Highlights significant steps of the MAID process and associated documentation.
• Section Five: Supporting Material & References
• Includes a list of relevant resources, guidance documents, policy statements and tools for clinicians.