MAiD
Bill 84 provides clarity, protection
for patients, health-care providers
Supports implementation of medical assistance in dying
Dr. David
Rouselle,
College
President,
appeared in
front of the
Standing
Committee
I
n May, 2017 Ontario passed legislation
that will support the implementation of
medical assistance in dying by providing
more protection and greater clarity for
patients, their families and their health-care
professionals.
Federal legislation, passed in June 2016,
guides how medical assistance in dying is to
be lawfully provided. The province’s Medical
Assistance in Dying Statute Law Amendment
Act aligns with the federal medical assistance
in dying legislation while addressing areas
relevant to MAiD that fall under provincial
jurisdiction.
At the end of March, College President,
Dr. David Rouselle, appeared in front of the
Standing Committee on Finance and Eco-
nomic Affairs, and expressed general support
of the then proposed legislation. “The Col-
lege strongly supports Bill 84 … It provides
important clarity and protections on a range
of issues that fall under provincial legislation.
It demonstrates respect for patient autonomy
and access to care, two goals which have
underpinned the College’s work on MAiD,”
he said.
The Medical Assistance in Dying Statute Law
Amendment Act amends:
Coroner’s Act
The amendments clarify the Coroner’s role
in relation to MAiD cases. Previously, the
Ontario Coroner’s office was required to be
notified of all medically assisted deaths in the
province and had to investigate all circum-
stances involving MAiD. Under the Bill 84
amendments, the Coroner will now be given
notice of a MAiD death, however, he or
she would have the discretion to determine
whether it is necessary to investigate. This
amendment will help to balance the Coroner’s
reporting functions while lessening the intru-
sion on patients and their families during a
challenging time.
Vital Statistics Act
Amendments to the Vital Statistics Act com-
Issue 2, 2017 Dialogue
33