Alberta Considers Overhaul of Medical Assistance in Dying Policies

Proposed changes include additional oversight, family dispute mechanisms, and new eligibility limits, raising concerns about autonomy and privacy.

The Alberta government is exploring significant changes to its Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program, with a public survey on the issue concluding tomorrow.
Proposals under consideration include creating a second oversight agency, introducing a family dispute resolution process, and sharing confidential MAID-related information with families, which critics argue could breach privacy laws.
Concerns have been raised by legal and medical experts about the potential impact on patient autonomy and whether the proposed changes might conflict with federal jurisdiction over MAID regulations.
A lawsuit in British Columbia has highlighted broader national concerns, alleging that Canada's MAID framework inadequately protects individuals with mental illness or impaired consent capacity.
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association has called on governments to enforce stricter safeguards to ensure MAID decisions are made freely and not influenced by social or systemic pressures.