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As of November 1, 2018, the Regulations for the Monitoring of Medical Assistance in Dying (the Regulations) require physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists to provide information related to requests for, and the provision of, medical assistance in dying (MAID). This guidance information is intended to support physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists in fulfilling their responsibilities under the Regulations.

This page builds on questions from provinces, territories and practitioners involved in medical assistance in dying. It explains how healthcare providers can consistently apply Canada's medical assistance in dying (MAID) framework to assessments and delivery of MAID. This information will be updated periodically.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) - Your reporting responsibilities as a physician or nurse practitioner.

During January and early February 2020, the Government of Canada launched consultations on medical assistance in dying (MAID). The online consultation, which was a short questionnaire, was open to all members of the public from the morning of Monday, January 13th through to midnight on Monday, January 27th. Consultations with experts and stakeholders also took place via a series of ten roundtables held across the country between Monday, January 13th and Monday, February 3rd.

This What We Heard report summarizes the findings from these consultations.

Canada's federal legislation on medical assistance in dying was enacted on June 17, 2016. Since then, governments have been working together to support the integration and implementation of medical assistance in dying within the Canadian health care system.

The federal legislation sets out several requirements for the federal government in order to implement a monitoring and reporting system for medical assistance in dying in Canada.

On March 17, 2021, Parliament passed revised legislation that makes important changes to who may be eligible to obtain medical assistance in dying and the process of assessment. These changes take effect immediately.

On June 17, 2016, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying), which permits the lawful provision of medical assistance in dying to eligible Canadians, received Royal Assent. Since then, the federal government has been working closely with provinces and territories to support its implementation.

Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
Briefing Binder for the Minister of Health
Study of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)
November 3, 2020

Briefing binder used by Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) before the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (LCJC) concerning Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).