Medical Assistance in Dying: Overview of Federal Government Response

Archived information

Bill C-14, legislation on medical assistance in dying, received royal assent on June 17, 2016. For more information, visit canada.ca/health

Criminal laws prohibiting physician assistance in dying were found to limit the rights to life, liberty and security of the person (s. 7 of the Charter)
Declaration that paragraph 241(b) and section 14 of the Criminal Code are void:
- “insofar as they prohibit physician-assisted death for a competent adult person who (1) clearly consents to the termination of life; and (2) has a grievous and irremediable medical condition (including an illness, disease or disability) that causes enduring suffering that is intolerable to the individual in the circumstances of his or her condition”
Effect of declaration was suspended for 12 months and extended on January 15, 2016 to June 6, 2016 to allow time to develop legislation.
In the interim, Superior Courts may grant individual exemptions.

Re-enacts general prohibition
Creates exemptions for medical assistance in dying carried out in accordance with rules
Provincial and territorial health jurisdiction

Other federal measures:

Work with provinces and territories on options for access to medical assistance in dying
Support improvements of end-of-life care options
Further studies on requests by mature minors, advance requests and where mental illness is the sole underlying medical condition, after legislation comes into force

Recognize personal autonomy and dignity
Recognize inherent and equal value of every life
Include robust safeguards to protect vulnerable persons and guard against errors or abuse
Set out eligibility for competent adults where death is reasonably foreseeable and who are suffering intolerably
Balance different interests, including personal autonomy toward the end of life and the protection of vulnerable persons
Encourage consistent approach across Canada

“Medical assistance in dying” is defined as:

the administration of substance by medical practitioner or authorized nurse practitioner that causes the person's death (i.e., voluntary euthanasia)
the prescription or provision of substance by medical practitioner or authorized nurse practitioner that the person self-administers to cause their death (i.e., assisted suicide)

Proposed patient eligibility criteria:

At least 18 years old and competent
Has a grievous and irremediable medical condition, i.e.,:
- serious and incurable illness, disease or disability, and
- advanced state of irreversible decline in capabilities, and
- enduring physical or psychological suffering, caused by the medical condition, that is intolerable to the person, and
- natural death has become reasonably foreseeable (precise proximity to death is not required)
Voluntary request required
Informed consent required
Eligible for publicly funded health care services in Canada

Exceptions from criminal liability would apply to:

Safeguards that must be respected:

Medical opinion - patient meets all criteria
Second independent medical opinion
Request in writing (or by proxy if patient cannot write) before two independent witnesses
Right to withdraw request at any time
15 day waiting period, unless death or loss of capacity is imminent
Consent must be confirmed immediately before medical assistance in dying is provided

Medical assistance in dying would not result in loss of federal pensions and benefits.

Parliamentary review to occur in 5 years.

Minister of Health will make regulations on:

Information to be provided by medical practitioners, nurse practitioners and pharmacists
Use, protection and disclosure of information

Offences:

Studies to look at unique implications of:
- requests by mature minors
- advance requests
- where mental illness is the sole underlying medical condition
Work with provinces and territories to support access to medical assistance in dying while recognizing the personal convictions of health care providers
Support improvement of a full range of end-of-life care options
- Multi-year health accord-improvements to home care, including palliative care
Work with provinces and territories on voluntary, interim protocol for the collection of data
- in place until regulations are finalized

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