Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) scheme

Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) allows eligible adults experiencing significant, intolerable suffering due to a serious illness to voluntarily request and receive assistance to end their life. It involves two options: a doctor or nurse practitioner providing a prescribed substance for the person to self-administer, or administering it directly under strict legal guidelines. Eligibility requires mental competence, ongoing consent, and meeting specific criteria regarding illness and suffering. MAID is governed by federal laws to ensure safety, fairness, and respect for individual choices, balancing compassion with safeguards to prevent misuse.