Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is an issue that is deeply complex and is at the core of human dignity and freedom. By definition according to The Government of Canada, MAID “is a process that allows someone who is found eligible to be able to receive assistance from a medical practitioner in ending their life.” 

The Criminal Code states that the process can only take place under a very specific set of criteria:

• they are eligible — or, but for any applicable minimum period of residence or waiting period, would be eligible — for health services funded by a government in Canada;
• they are at least 18 years of age and capable of making decisions with respect to their health;
• they have a grievous and irremediable medical condition;
•  they have made a voluntary request for medical assistance in dying that, in particular, was not made as a result of external pressure; and
• they give informed consent to receive medical assistance in dying after having been informed of the means that are available to relieve their suffering, including palliative care.

The criteria is also specific for being considered to have a grievous and irremediable medical condition:

• they have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability;
• they are in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability; and
• that illness, disease or disability or that state of decline causes them enduring physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable to them and that cannot be relieved under conditions that they consider acceptable.

This petition calls on the Canadian Government to create stronger, standardized national safeguards surrounding MAID to ensure that no individual feels pressured into accepting MAID as their only option due to gaps in access to healthcare, social service, or mental health treatments.

Every single Canadian should have the right to make informed choices about their own process of life and death without experiencing fear, force, or poor safeguards. However, as MAID access becomes more widespread, so do the concerns around the procedure. Especially ones around vulnerable individuals feeling pressure about their decision of ending their life when more suitable options and better protections are unavailable. 

Since MAID became legal in Canada in 2016, it has been a useful resource in providing relief to many individuals who face unbearable suffering. Health Canada’s Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada states that in 2024, MAID was administered to 16,499 individuals. 

In March 2020, the Government of Canada conducted a public consultation on MAID and what people's thoughts were on different areas. They had received over 300,000 responses from across the country. 

One question was if people believed that the current safeguards in place would be enough to stop the misuse of MAID if the eligibility criteria was opened up to individuals who aren’t expected to die. And about 73% said yes, that the safeguards would be enough, versus about 25% who said they wouldn’t be enough.

However, many people also expressed the concern of potential gaps in the existing safeguards, whether there should be additional precautions required (like mental health assessments or more diligent informed consent procedures), and how accessible assessments are in rural areas of the country. Some medical professionals even suggested reconsidering the existing safeguards. With some saying that they could cause more damage and extra suffering, like the 10 day waiting period and the witness requirements.

Seeing the issue from more diverse perspectives, it shows how there are still many gaps that could impact those who are vulnerable. 

At the root of every MAID request, there's a human with their own story of pain, loss, or helplessness. Yet, individuals should never feel like they're being pushed into a life altering decision because they lack the access to proper health care, or mental support. Without strong protections in place, vulnerable groups like those with disabilities, financial insecurity, or mental conditions could possibly be at a greater risk. This is solely about protecting vulnerable individuals and holding a standard of the self-respect and the rights of every Canadian citizen. 

Calls for action: 

National - I call on the Canadian government to create more clear, strong, and standardized safeguards for MAID across the country. To do this the country needs clear oversight of the process that is applied equally across every province and territory. This would include the requirement of detailed, thorough assessments that look at every possible factor and consider every aspect. Physical illness, mental health, access to palliative healthcare, social supports, stable housing, and disability services. I urge national leaders to be aware and to ensure that the decisions individuals make regarding MAID are made freely without force and fully informed. And to make sure that their decisions aren't made because they are unable to receive the proper health and pain care, or mental support they need. Stronger national safeguards would protect those who can’t protect themselves, all while maintaining the highest standards of compassion and autonomy.  

International - I call on Canada to collaborate with significant international health and human rights organizations to develop and understand shared ethical standards and the best assisted dying policies. Some international groups include the World Health Organization, United Nations, or global advocacy groups. Through international research sharing and conversations, Canada can contribute to the knowledge and learn from the experiences of people around the world. This would ensure that the structure of MAID prioritizes consent, dignity, and the protection of vulnerable groups. This way, Canada would be able to demonstrate responsible leadership as well as helping to shape how other countries approach the process with respect, and compassion. 

Moonshot - I call for a future where no one feels like MAID is their only option due to a lack of proper care and support. My vision includes a federal system that ensures individuals have universal access to mental health support, palliative care, pain management, disability support, income assistance, and community services before MAID is even considered to be an option. This “moonshot” challenges our country to focus on the deeper issues that would influence the final decision like isolation, difficult healthcare access, poverty, and untreated pain, rather than the choice of ending a life alone. A society that upholds true dignity ensures that an individual's access to MAID is just as easy as their access to a life with support. 

By sharing and signing this petition, you are calling on the leaders of our country to protect vulnerable individuals, strengthen safeguards, and ensure that no one ever feels like they have no other choice other than MAID. Together we can uphold compassion, dignity, and true choice at the end of an individual's life.