Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
Written for CMS by Dianna Eaid, BSW and Retired Medical Social Worker
Dying from natural causes or because of disease progression, is recognized as the expected path to pass away. Some people decide to take their own lives because of unbearable pain and suffering. Although suicide, is a person’s right to chose, it presents ethical challenges and is very controversial for most.
In 2015, the families of Kay Carter, a woman suffering from degenerative spinal stenosis, and Gloria Taylor, a woman suffering from ALS, requested the Supreme Court of Canada to support their decisions for assisted suicide. The court rendered a unanimous decision, giving mentally competent Canadian adults, “suffering intolerably and endurably,” the right to physician assistance in dying. The Criminal Code of Canada underwent revisions to enable healthcare practitioners to legally provide information and participate in assisted death. The legislation became known as, Medical Assistance in Dying: MAID.
As you can imagine, MAID was controversial, but its core value is quality vs. quantity of life and a person’s right to choose. There are clear guidelines and criteria:
Eligibility:
MAID is an individual choice and not for everyone. There are many levels of ethical controversy. For those I have assisted, most participants felt it was a dignified experience. Anyone making this choice, the process ensures that all consideration is given to alternatives. I have heard many beautiful stories of opportunity to plan and say goodbyes. If you want more information, ask your physician or healthcare team.
In 2015, the families of Kay Carter, a woman suffering from degenerative spinal stenosis, and Gloria Taylor, a woman suffering from ALS, requested the Supreme Court of Canada to support their decisions for assisted suicide. The court rendered a unanimous decision, giving mentally competent Canadian adults, “suffering intolerably and endurably,” the right to physician assistance in dying. The Criminal Code of Canada underwent revisions to enable healthcare practitioners to legally provide information and participate in assisted death. The legislation became known as, Medical Assistance in Dying: MAID.
As you can imagine, MAID was controversial, but its core value is quality vs. quantity of life and a person’s right to choose. There are clear guidelines and criteria:
Eligibility:
- Person is eligible for Canadian and provincial healthcare
- Person is 18 years of age and mentally competent (able to make own decision and give informed consent at time of MAID assessment)
- Person has a grievous and irremediable medical condition, causing pain and suffering that cannot be relieved
- Person can make a voluntary request for MAID, without outside influence
- Person makes request to physician or healthcare team for MAID assessment
- Person must sign written consent with an independent witness
- Person undergoes an assessment by 2 independent practitioners to assess eligibility
- If approved, the person selects the date to receive MAID (usually takes 2 weeks)
- At time of MAID is administered, person gives final consent
- A provider, physician or nurse practitioner, administers a substance to cause death
- The person is provided with the substance to self administer
MAID is an individual choice and not for everyone. There are many levels of ethical controversy. For those I have assisted, most participants felt it was a dignified experience. Anyone making this choice, the process ensures that all consideration is given to alternatives. I have heard many beautiful stories of opportunity to plan and say goodbyes. If you want more information, ask your physician or healthcare team.
Canada's Criminal Code allows for an adult to choose a medically assisted death in some situations. The Federal Government first allowed medical assistance in dying (MAID) in 2016. The law changed again on March 17, 2021. Learn more about MAID in this booklet from the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA).
More information
| medicalassistanceindying.pdf |
Resources from the Dying with Dignity organization
| dwdc-resources_whatismaid_en_online.pdf |
| medical-assistance-in-dying-resource-list.pdf |
| protect-your-rights-and-wishes-as-a-patient.pdf |
| myths-and-facts-medical-assistance-in-dying-in-canada-2023.pdf |