Content updated on October 30, 2024.
People at the end of their lives are entitled to high-quality care that is adapted to their needs and respects their choices.
Sometimes a person's suffering cannot be alleviated under conditions that they consider tolerable. If they meet all requirements, they may then decide to ask for medical aid in dying.
Medical aid in dying and palliative care are governed by the Act respecting end-of-life care. This law sets out specific conditions for receiving medical aid in dying. It also sets out strict procedures for the health professionals and institutions that administer it.
What is medical aid in dying?
Medical aid in dying is an exceptional treatment, offered as a last resort to a person who requests it. The procedure must be performed by a physician or specialized nurse practitioner (SNP). This authorized health professional administers medication to the suffering person, with the aim of relieving pain and hastening death.
It is possible to receive medical aid in dying:
- In all institutions within Québec’s health and social services network;
- In all palliative care hospices;
- At home;
- In any other place, if authorized.
Last-resort care
To receive medical aid in dying, a person must meet all these conditions:
- Be an adult;
- Be insured under Quebec’s Public Health Insurance Plan;
- Experience persistent and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated under conditions that the patient considers tolerable;
- Be able to provide free and informed consent to it. If the person cannot provide consent when the time has come for the procedure, they could still receive it under one of the following conditions:
- the patient had given written consent to the procedure within 90 days before the date of administration of medical aid in dying, at a time when they were fit to give consent.
- the patient had made an advance request in the past.
In addition, the person must meet either of the following requirements:
- Be suffering from a serious and incurable disease that has led to an advanced and irreversible decline in capacity.
- Have a severe physical disability that causes significant and persistent impairments.
As of March 7, 2024, someone suffering from a serious physical impairment resulting in significant and persistent incapacity will also be able to receive medical aid in dying if they meet conditions 1 to 4 listed earlier.
Requesting medical aid in dying
If the person wants medical aid in dying later (when they become incompetent), they may provide consent in advance. See our article on advance requests to find out more.
If the person wants medical aid in dying in the short term, they must ask a health professional for the form for that purpose. The application must be filled out in front of the health professional, who will make sure that the applicant fully understands the consequences of their choice. The health professional also verifies whether the person has, on different occasions, repeatedly expressed their will to receive medical aid in dying.
Capable persons may change their mind at any time. In such cases, their refusal does not have to be given in writing.
Any questions or problems?
To find out more, visit Quebec.ca or speak to a healthcare professional.
- Has the attending physician refused to administer medical aid in dying because of their values? That is their right. However, physicians must respect their patients’ choice and give them the application form. They must then forward the request to the administration section of the institution (CISSS or CIUSSS) concerned. The institution is responsible for quickly finding another doctor to treat the patient.
- Consent to care not respected? Turn to the service quality and complaints commissioner of the institution concerned.
- Do you disagree with the commissioner's decision? Contact the Protecteur du citoyen. Our services are confidential and free of charge.
Also see:
End of life: understanding palliative care
Advance request for medical aid in dying: what you need to know
