Bill Detail
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)
This enactment amends the Criminal Code to
permit an individual whose death is not reasonably foreseeable to enter into a written arrangement to receive medical assistance in dying on a specified day if they lose the capacity to consent to receiving medical assistance in dying prior to that day; and
permit an individual who has been diagnosed with a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability to make a written declaration to waive the requirement for final consent when receiving medical assistance in dying if they lose the capacity to consent to receive medical assistance in dying, are suffering from symptoms outlined in the written declaration and have met all other relevant safeguards outlined in the Criminal Code.
This bill proposes changes to Canada's Criminal Code regarding medical assistance in dying (MAID). It aims to allow individuals whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable to make advance written arrangements for MAID. This means they could pre-arrange to receive MAID on a specific date, even if they lose the capacity to consent before that date due to their medical condition.
Additionally, the bill permits individuals with a serious and incurable illness, disease, or disability to make a written declaration waiving the need for final consent for MAID. This applies if they lose the capacity to consent and are experiencing symptoms outlined in their declaration, provided all other safeguards are met. This aims to align federal law with Quebec's recent legislation on advance requests for MAID.