The MAiD process begins when a patient makes a written request for MAiD. The province-specific request form must be witnessed by 2 independent witnesses. The next step is for a clinician (specifically a physician or a nurse practitioner) to meet with the patient to help determine if they are eligible for this care. The process for determining eligibility may include more than 1 meeting, more than one clinician and certainly a full review of the medical records. A second independent assessor must then do the same. If two assessors independently agree the eligibility criteria are met, a MAID procedure can then be planned. The first step is to speak to your family physician; if they are unable to answer your questions, it is possible you can self-refer to a local MAiD provider (see our section on Finding Help).
According to Bill C14:
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- You must be an ADULT (This is defined as being 18 years of age or older)
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- You must be eligible to receive Canadian health care- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, landed immigrants and refugees all qualify. At this time, non-Canadians are not able to access MAiD in Canada, even if paying privately.
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- You must be suffering from a GRIEVOUS and IRREMEDIABLE condition. This is further defined as someone having a serious illness, disease or disability that puts you in an irreversible, advanced state of decline, that causes intolerable suffering and will lead to your natural death in the foreseeable future.
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- Your request for MAiD must be made voluntarily, free from pressure from anyone else
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- You must be CAPABLE of making this request- this means your request for MAiD can only happen after you have a clear understanding of your medical condition and have been informed of other treatment options, including palliative care. You must be capable at the time of the request for MAID and be able to give informed consent at the time of the procedure itself. No one else can ever request this care or give consent on your behalf.
| Alberta | Alberta Health Services MAiD Phone: 811 (AHS Health Link) Email: MAID.careteam@ahs.ca |
| British Columbia |
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| Manitoba | Manitoba MAiD Team Phone: 204-926-1380 Email: maid@wrha.mb.ca |
| New Brunswick |
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| Newfoundland and Labrador | MAID NL & Labrador Provincial coordinator: Dr. Aaron McKim Phone: 709-729-3103 Email: aaron.mckim@gov.nl.ca |
| Northwest Territories | Health & Social Services Central Coordinating Services Phone: 1-855-846-9601 (toll-free) or 867-767-9050, ext. 49008 |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Health Authority MAID Information Phone: 902-491-5892 (local Halifax number) |
| Nunavut |
Nunavut Department of Health Phone: 867-975-5700 (general inquiries) Email: info.maid@gov.nu.ca |
| Ontario | Medical Assistance in Dying and End-of-life Decisions Care Coordination Service Phone (toll-free): 1-866-286-4023 TTY: 1-844-953-3350 |
| Prince Edward Island | Health PEI Medical Assistance in Dying Call 811 for more information. Email: healthpei@gov.pe.ca |
| Quebec |
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| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Health Authority Medical Assistance in Dying Phone: 811 (HealthLine) |
| Yukon | Yukon Health and Social Services Medical Assistance in Dying Phone: 1-800-661-0408, ext. 5695 (toll-free) or 867-667-5695 Email: hss@gov.yk.ca |
| More provincial and territorial contact information for end-of-life care services from the Government of Canada | |
While our primary goal is to support the people involved in delivering care, we also recognize the importance of supporting the patients and families going through this process.We hope this website can provide some useful resources and encourage you to speak with your individual care providers for detailed guidance.
You can support our work with a donation. As a supporter you will receive our Newsletter which includes personal accounts and experiences from physicians and nurses, opinion pieces, case studies and a cross-country check up. We are grateful for any donation, big or small.
Your help will fund the production of material to educate physicians, nurses, administrators, pharmacists and the public about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).
Note that at this time CAMAP does not issue charitable tax receipts for donations.
| Donate online | Donate by mail |
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If you prefer to send a cheque, please make it payable to CAMAP and mail it to: CAMAP c/o Dr. Stefanie Green 326-1964 Fort Street Victoria, BC V8R 6R3 |
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Gold Level Contribution $1,000 or more Silver Level Contribution $100 or more Bronze Level Contribution $25 or more |
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From Daughter to Mother
Our Mother was waiting for the time when she could legally end her suffering. She celebrated the Supreme Court Ruling and ratification of the right to have Medical Aid in Dying. My Brothers and I supported her wishes and walked every step of the way with her until her death. She and we received clear and compassionate care and she was able to die the way she lived, with elegance and dignity.
Many members of our family were in attendance for the last days of her life. What a privilege to say goodbye the way we did, to tell stories, to hear her last words of wisdom, different for each one of us and then to hold her hand while she left us. We are grateful that Mom could avail herself of this opportunity. We all feel that the right to choose when the time is right is the highest form of compassion.
Please click here to watch a video testimonial.