Quebec to Allow Advance Requests for Medical Assistance in Dying Starting October 30th
Quebec has announced that it will be authorizing advance requests for medical assistance in dying (MAID) as of October 30th, making it the first province in Canada to do so.
This decision comes after a recent ruling by the Superior Court of Quebec, which deemed the current federal and provincial laws on MAID to be unconstitutional. The court found that the requirement for a person to be at the end of their life in order to receive MAID was too restrictive and violated their rights.
As a result, the Quebec government has amended its MAID legislation to allow for advance requests. This means that individuals who are diagnosed with a serious and incurable illness, but are not yet at the end of their life, will now be able to make a request for MAID in advance. This request will only be carried out if and when the person becomes unable to consent at the time of their death.
The new legislation also includes safeguards to ensure that the person’s request is voluntary and informed. This includes a mandatory waiting period of 90 days between the request and the administration of MAID, as well as the requirement for two independent medical assessments.
Quebec’s Health Minister, Christian Dubé, stated that this change in legislation is a step towards respecting the autonomy and dignity of individuals who are facing a terminal illness. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the process is carried out with the utmost care and compassion.
However, not everyone is in favor of this decision. Some disability rights advocates have expressed concerns that this could lead to vulnerable individuals being pressured into requesting MAID. They also argue that more resources should be put towards improving palliative care options for those with terminal illnesses.
Despite these concerns, Quebec’s decision to allow advance requests for MAID has been praised by many who see it as a significant step towards providing individuals with more control over their end-of-life care.
This change in legislation will come into effect on October 30th, giving individuals in Quebec the option to make an advance request for MAID if they so choose.
