Health Canada asks Canadians what they think of allowing people to ask, in advance, for medical assistance in dying

CBC Newfoundland Morning

Medical assistance in dying, or MAiD, became legal in Canada in June 2016, but the federal government is looking at ways to improve what the law allows. Right now, Health Canada is doing a survey of Canadians about advance requests for MAiD. As it stands right now, the law does not allow medical assistance in dying to be provided based on an advance request. The person asking for MAID must be able to consent, and they can't ask in advance before they are eligible or want to receive it. We asked Health Canada for an interview about its consultation with Canadians, but the department declined. Helen Long is CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, which works to improve end-of-life care.