What is Medical Assistance in Dying?
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), as defined in the Criminal Code, RSC, 1985, c C-46 is when:
- a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or physician provides assistance by administering a medication to a client, at their request, that causes their death (practitioner assisted MAID) or
- an NP or physician prescribes or provides a medication to a client at their request, so that they may self-administer the medication, and in doing so, cause their own death (client self-administered MAID)
Timeline of MAID law
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Date
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Legislative change
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June 17, 2016
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Bill C-14 received royal assent, making it possible for eligible people to receive MAID in Canada.
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May 9, 2017
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Ontario government passed legislation related to MAID. The legislation provides more protection for clients, their families, health care providers and health care institutions. It also clarifies when Nurse Practitioners and physicians can complete the medical certificate of death.
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Nov. 1, 2018
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The Government of Canada’s new Monitoring of Medical Assistance in Dying regulations came into effect. The new regulations outline what information needs to be reported after a Nurse Practitioner receives a written request for MAID.
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Sept. 11, 2019
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The Superior Court of Québec, in its Truchon v Canada (AG) decision, declared that it is unconstitutional for the federal MAID legislation to require that natural death must be reasonably foreseeable to be eligible for MAID.
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Mar. 17, 2021
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In response to the Truchon decision, Bill C-7 took effect, making a few amendments to the Criminal Code to expand the eligibility for MAID.
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Oct. 26, 2022
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Federal government passes regulations to amend the Regulations for the Monitoring of Medical Assistance in Dying that outlines the information MAID providers need to report on when providing MAID.
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| Jan. 1, 2023 |
New reporting requirements under the Regulations for the Monitoring of Medical Assistance in Dying take effect. |
| Feb. 1, 2024 |
The Government of Canada announced a three-year delay on the proposed expansion of MAID eligibility to include mental health disorders as the sole underlying condition. |
For more information, read the Guidance on Nurses’ Roles in Medical Assistance in Dying.