What is Medical Assistance in Dying?
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is legal in Canada for eligible adults to ask for and receive. There are two kinds of MAID available in Canada. They include a doctor or nurse practitioner who:
- Gives a drug into the vein that results in the person’s death; or
- Prescribes a drug for a person to take by mouth that will result in their death.
Who is eligible for MAID?
To receive MAID, a person must meet all of the criteria below:
- Be eligible for health services funded by a government in Canada (for example, OHIP);
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Be able to understand the decision and its consequences;
- Ask for MAID on their own and without being forced;
- Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition, defined as:
- a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability;
- an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability; and
- continuing physical or mental suffering that is unbearable and cannot be relieved in ways that the person is okay with; and
- Be able to give informed consent.
How does someone request MAID?
If a patient at Trillium Health Partners (THP) wishes to ask for MAID, they should talk to their doctor or nurse practitioner about this option and other alternatives, like palliative care.
If a person wishes to have MAID somewhere other than the hospital, they will be referred to resources in the community who can help them.
They may also contact the THP MAID Coordinator at 905-848-7580 ext. 1743 or AIDCoordinator@thp.ca (available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm).
If someone who is not a patient at THP wishes to ask for MAID, they can talk to their doctor or contact the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Provincial Care Coordination Service at 1-866-286-4023 or TTY 1-844-953-3350. The service is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week in English and French (translation in other languages can be requested).
Where can I find more information?
You can learn more about MAID at THP by reading our
Frequently Asked Questions resource for patients and families.
More information about the legal criteria and how to ask for MAID is also available online:
