e-4726 (Justice)

Petition to the House of Commons

• Since the introduction of medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada in 2016 and its subsequent enhancement in 2021, Canadians have taken advantage of this lawful, medically overseen procedure to end their own suffering in a peaceful and dignified manner;
• Many people across this country (over 80%) reasonably believe that they should be able to specify in a written, voluntary, and witnessed statement their desire to consent in advance to the provision of MAID when they have a capacity-diminishing illness, disease, or disorder, and the triggering conditions which they have previously described as intolerable suffering to them, are observable and verified by a clinician;
• The law as currently written does not allow for this option, meaning that people seek MAID earlier than desired, because their disease progression eventually robs them of the ability to provide consent, and, in so doing, they potentially miss out on quality years of life; and
• According to the Canadian Bar Association, an Advance Request respects the fundamental Charter principle of security of the person and the sanctity of personal autonomy.