Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

What is MAiD?

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is a legal, regulated health service in Canada that allows eligible individuals to seek medical assistance to end their life under specific criteria and safeguards. Qualified health practitioners (physicians or nurse practitioners) can either:

• Administer a substance that causes death, or

• Prescribe a substance for self-administration by the eligible person.

MAiD has been legal in Canada since 2016 under the Criminal Code, with amendments expanding eligibility criteria and safeguards.

Eligibility & Process (General Overview)

To be eligible for MAiD in Canada, a person must:

• Be at least 18 years old and capable of making health decisions.

• Make a voluntary request free from external pressure.

• Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition (a serious, incurable illness, disease, or disability causing enduring, intolerable suffering).

• Meet all criteria in the law at the time of assessment.

The assessment process typically requires evaluations by two independent practitioners to confirm eligibility and voluntariness.

Ontario-Focused Support & Resources

From the MAID Presentation Resource List (GTA Chapter, 2023), the following Ontario-based services and supports are commonly referenced:

1) Ontario Ministry of Health — MAID/End of Life Decisions

A central coordination and information service for MAiD within Ontario.

Toll-free: 1-866-286-4023

2) Dying With Dignity Canada (DWDC)

National organization offering support, information, and advocacy for people considering MAiD.

Local Contact: 416-486-3998

Toll-free: 1-800-495-6156

Key Resource Categories in the MAiD Resource List

The list includes both practical tools and supplemental readings:

Assessment & Decision Support

• Navigating a Request for MAID in Ontario (video) – educational video content.

• MAID Assessment Guide – helps patients/families understand what to expect from the assessment process.

• Patient Rights Guide – outlines rights under MAiD and informed decision-making.

Care Planning & Support

• Palliative Care Resources – information on hospice and comfort care options.

• Advance Care Planning – tools to discuss and document future care preferences.

Community & Advocacy

• Past Webinars – past educational sessions available for review

• Advocacy Resources – organizations and materials for policy, education, and public awareness

Support Networks

• Canadian Association of MAID Assessors and Providers (CAMAP) – professional association supporting practitioners who assess/provide MAiD.

• MAiD & Organ Donation – resources on coordinating MAiD with organ donation options.

• MAiDHouse – community support space (peer & family supports).

• Bridge C-14 – peer support for people considering or navigating MAiD.

Recommended Readings

These books and publications offer deeper perspectives on MAiD, end-of-life choices, and care:

• “This is Assisted Dying” – Stefanie Green, MD – clinical and patient-centered stories.

• “Death Interrupted” – Blair Bingham – explores how modern medicine affects dying.

• “Being Mortal” – Atul Gawande – on medicine, care, and what matters at the end of life.

• Other classics on communication, dying, and supportive care.

Who Can Help & Where to Find More Info

• Healthcare Providers: Discuss MAiD and palliative care with your primary care doctor or nurse practitioner.

• Local Health Integration Networks / Health Authorities: Provide region-specific MAiD and hospice resources.

• Federal & Provincial Government Sites: Updated eligibility rules, reporting, and official guidance.

• Nonprofits: DWDC, CAMAP, Bridge C-14, MAiDHouse, Canadian Virtual Hospice, and others offer education, support, and navigation services.

Notes for Clinicians & Family Support

• Two independent assessments are required by law before MAiD can be provided.

• MAiD requires strict adherence to legal criteria and documentation.

• Emotional and grief support services are available through many MAiD support organizations.