{
  "cpso_maid_advice_truncated.html": [
    {
      "term": "Medical Certificates of Death",
      "snippet": "eted by a MAID assessor. The intended purpose of the 90-day assessment period is to provide suitable time for the MAID assessors to explore relevant aspects of the requestor’s circumstances and identify potential treatment or service options for their condition or disability. The 90-day assessment period is not intended to be a period for a requestor to reflect on whether to proceed with MAiD. For information on how to calculate the 90-day period, see the Health Canada website . Unused MAID Drugs Unused drugs are to be returned to the pharmacy or dispensing physician for appropriate disposal. Medical Certificates of Death in the MAID Context When completing a medical certificate of death for a person to whom MAID has been administered: The illness, disease or disability leading to the request for MAID is to be recorded as the cause of death. The certificate cannot include any reference to MAID or the medications administered. 1 Virtual Care in the MAID Context Virtual care technology may be used for various aspects of the MAID process, including (but not limited to): conducting patient eligibility assessments; witnessing requests for MAID; consulting with practitioners who have expertise in the condition causing the patient’s suffering; and preparing written arrangements for waiver of final consent. Physicians will have to determine whether virtual care is appropriate for MAID-related care on a case-by-case basis. For more information, see CPSO’s Virtual Care policy. Waivers of Final Consent Federal legislation permits individuals whose death is reasonably foreseeable to waive final consent. Advance requests for MAID are not permitted. While the distinction between the two is not yet defined in law, the MAiD Death Review Committee (MDRC) recommends scheduling MAID withi"
    },
    {
      "term": "certificate cannot include",
      "snippet": "ion or disability. The 90-day assessment period is not intended to be a period for a requestor to reflect on whether to proceed with MAiD. For information on how to calculate the 90-day period, see the Health Canada website . Unused MAID Drugs Unused drugs are to be returned to the pharmacy or dispensing physician for appropriate disposal. Medical Certificates of Death in the MAID Context When completing a medical certificate of death for a person to whom MAID has been administered: The illness, disease or disability leading to the request for MAID is to be recorded as the cause of death. The certificate cannot include any reference to MAID or the medications administered. 1 Virtual Care in the MAID Context Virtual care technology may be used for various aspects of the MAID process, including (but not limited to): conducting patient eligibility assessments; witnessing requests for MAID; consulting with practitioners who have expertise in the condition causing the patient’s suffering; and preparing written arrangements for waiver of final consent. Physicians will have to determine whether virtual care is appropriate for MAID-related care on a case-by-case basis. For more information, see CPSO’s Virtual Care policy. Waivers of Final Consent Federal legislation permits individuals whose death is reasonably foreseeable to waive final consent. Advance requests for MAID are not permitted. While the distinction between the two is not yet defined in law, the MAiD Death Review Committee (MDRC) recommends scheduling MAID within six months of the date the waiver is signed, to avoid the waiver of final consent being interpreted as an unlawful advance directive. Physicians are encouraged to use the Ministry of Health’s Clinician Aid D resource in preparing Waivers of Final Consent. "
    },
    {
      "term": "cause of death",
      "snippet": "ons for their condition or disability. The 90-day assessment period is not intended to be a period for a requestor to reflect on whether to proceed with MAiD. For information on how to calculate the 90-day period, see the Health Canada website . Unused MAID Drugs Unused drugs are to be returned to the pharmacy or dispensing physician for appropriate disposal. Medical Certificates of Death in the MAID Context When completing a medical certificate of death for a person to whom MAID has been administered: The illness, disease or disability leading to the request for MAID is to be recorded as the cause of death. The certificate cannot include any reference to MAID or the medications administered. 1 Virtual Care in the MAID Context Virtual care technology may be used for various aspects of the MAID process, including (but not limited to): conducting patient eligibility assessments; witnessing requests for MAID; consulting with practitioners who have expertise in the condition causing the patient’s suffering; and preparing written arrangements for waiver of final consent. Physicians will have to determine whether virtual care is appropriate for MAID-related care on a case-by-case basis. For more information, see CPSO’s Virtual Care policy. Waivers of Final Consent Federal legislation permits individuals whose death is reasonably foreseeable to waive final consent. Advance requests for MAID are not permitted. While the distinction between the two is not yet defined in law, the MAiD Death Review Committee (MDRC) recommends scheduling MAID within six months of the date the waiver is signed, to avoid the waiver of final consent being interpreted as an unlawful advance directive. Physicians are encouraged to use the Ministry of Health’s Clinician Aid D resource in preparing Waiver"
    },
    {
      "term": "eligible",
      "snippet": "ed all reasonable health-care options, etc.). In some cases, it may be necessary to undertake more than one capacity assessment to have enough information to make a determination as to whether a patient has capacity. If the requester has mental health concerns and there is a risk of suicidality, physicians will also want to ensure the request for MAID is rationally considered by the patient during a period of stability, and not when the patient is having a mental health crisis. Grievous and Irremediable Medical Conditions A patient must have a grievous and irremediable medical condition to be eligible for MAID. As set out in the Criminal Code , a patient has a grievous and irremediable medical condition if: They have a serious and incurable illness, disease, or disability that is not a mental illness; 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. Health Canada has clarified that: 'Incurable' means there are no reasonable treatments remaining, where reasonable is determined by the clinician and patient together. 'Capability' refers to a patient’s functioning (e.g., physical, social, occupational), not the symptoms of their condition. 'Advanced state of decline' means the reduction in the patient’s functioning is severe. 'Irreversible' means there are no reasonable interventions remaining, where reasonable is determined by the clinician and patient together. For the purposes of determining that the suffering criterion for MAID is met, it is important for physicians to: explore all dimensions of the patient’s suffering (physi"
    }
  ],
  "cpso_maid_policy.html": [
    {
      "term": "eligible",
      "snippet": " be found in companion resources, such as Advice to the Profession documents. Definition Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID): Under the Criminal Code 1 , MAID refers to circumstances where a physician 2 or nurse practitioner, at the patient’s request: (a) administers medications 3 that cause the patient’s death; or (b) prescribes or provides medications for the patient to self-administer to cause their own death. NOTE : The Criminal Code sets out the eligibility criteria for MAID. The Criminal Code currently excludes mental illness as an illness, disease, or disability that makes an individual eligible for MAID. 4 This exclusion will remain in place until March 17, 2027, at which time it is expected to be repealed. Policy Physicians must comply with: the legal requirements for MAID, 5 including those pertaining to eligibility criteria, safeguards, and reporting (see CPSO’s Legal Requirements: MAID companion document ); and the expectations set out in this policy and other relevant CPSO policies, such as the Human Rights in the Provision of Health Services policy, including the expectation regarding effective referrals for physicians who choose not to assess patients or provide MAID for reasons of conscience or religion. Medications Before administering medications for MAID, physicians must have a contingency plan 6 in place to address potential complications. Physicians must use their professional judgment when determining the appropriate medication protocol to achieve MAID and must ensure the goals of the protocol include controlling the patient’s pain and anxiety. Physicians must notify the dispensing pharmacist as early as possible that medications for MAID will be required to allow the pharmacist sufficient time to obtain and/or prepare the medications. Documentation"
    }
  ],
  "bc_maid_page.html": [
    {
      "term": "medical assistance in dying occurs",
      "snippet": "ble (incurable) medical condition, the option to end their life with the assistance of a doctor or nurse practitioner. Medical assistance in dying is provided only to legally eligible persons. To ensure this service is provided in a safe manner, a system of safeguards has been designed to protect vulnerable people and support all people to make an informed decision. British Columbians seeking medical assistance in dying should speak with their doctor, nurse practitioner or local health authority’s care co-ordination service for medical assistance in dying. What is medical assistance in dying? Medical assistance in dying occurs when an authorized doctor or nurse practitioner provides or administers medication that intentionally brings about a person’s death, at that person’s request. This procedure is only available to eligible individuals. Find out about other options available to people facing suffering at end of life Who is eligible for medical assistance in dying? In order to be eligible to receive medical assistance in dying, a person must meet all of the following criteria: Be eligible for health services publicly funded by a government in Canada, such as being registered or eligible for B.C.’s Medical Services Plan; Be at least 18 years of age and capable of making decisions about their health; Have made a voluntary request for medical assistance in dying that, in particular, was not made as a result of external pressure; Have given informed consent to receive medical assistance in dying after being informed of the means that are available to relieve their suffering, including palliative care; and Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition, which means: they have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability*; they are in an advanced state of decl"
    },
    {
      "term": "eligible",
      "snippet": "Providers Statistics Medical Assistance in Dying Last updated on August 9, 2024 Individuals and their families have many decisions to make when faced with end-of-life care or intolerable suffering. It’s important for British Columbians to know and understand all the health care options available to them. Medical assistance in dying provides people, who are experiencing intolerable suffering due to a grievous and irremediable (incurable) medical condition, the option to end their life with the assistance of a doctor or nurse practitioner. Medical assistance in dying is provided only to legally eligible persons. To ensure this service is provided in a safe manner, a system of safeguards has been designed to protect vulnerable people and support all people to make an informed decision. British Columbians seeking medical assistance in dying should speak with their doctor, nurse practitioner or local health authority’s care co-ordination service for medical assistance in dying. What is medical assistance in dying? Medical assistance in dying occurs when an authorized doctor or nurse practitioner provides or administers medication that intentionally brings about a person’s death, at that person’s request. This procedure is only available to eligible individuals. Find out about other options available to people facing suffering at end of life Who is eligible for medical assistance in dying? In order to be eligible to receive medical assistance in dying, a person must meet all of the following criteria: Be eligible for health services publicly funded by a government in Canada, such as being registered or eligible for B.C.’s Medical Services Plan; Be at least 18 years of age and capable of making decisions about their health; Have made a voluntary request for medical assistance "
    }
  ],
  "bc_death_registration.html": [
    {
      "term": "death registration",
      "snippet": "Death Registration - Province of British Columbia Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Accessibility Statement Search Cancel Menu Find information Employment, business and economic development Data and information management Birth, adoption, death, marriage and divorce British Columbians and our governments Education and training Farming, natural resources and industry Driving and transportation Family and social supports Health Environmental protection and sustainability Housing and tenancy Law, crime and justice Public safety and emergency services Sports, recreation, arts and culture Taxes and tax credits Tourism and immigration More Careers & MyHR Services Forms News Contact us Home / Birth, adoption, death, marriage and divorce / Death / Death Registration More topics Death After a Death Death Registration Changes to a Death Registration Certified Copies and Certified Electronic Extracts of a Death Registration Genealogy Certified Copies of a Death Registration Death Certificates Wills Registry Wills and estates BC Coroners Service Death Registration Last updated on April 7, 2026 Death registration is important for a number of reasons. Besides creating a legal record o"
    }
  ]
}