Canada has released its first nationally accredited training program in medical assistance in dying (MAiD). The program is aimed at licensed physicians and nurse practitioners. This development comes in response to concerns about the increasing prevalence of MAiD in certain regions and its recommendation for “mature minors.”
The curriculum for the training program was developed by the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers (CAMAP), a B.C.-based NGO established in 2016 after the federal MAiD legislation was enacted. CAMAP was created to address the need for training resources, medical standards, and standardization of care across the country.
The curriculum, accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada, covers eight topics. These topics include the procedures for conducting a MAiD assessment and dealing with MAiD for individuals with mental disorders.
The federal government had previously announced plans to delay MAiD eligibility for people whose only medical condition is a mental illness. The curriculum is considered a crucial step in preparing for the date when these individuals will become eligible for MAiD, which is March 17, 2024.
Opponents of medical assisted suicide have raised concerns about the expansion of MAiD eligibility, particularly for patients solely suffering from mental illness and for minors. The Canadian Association of Chairs of Psychiatry had urged the government to postpone expanding eligibility to people solely suffering from mental illness.
Canada introduced Bill C-39 in February 2023 to extend the temporary exclusion of MAiD eligibility for these individuals, and the bill was passed in March.
The House of Commons Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying released a report in February that included recommendations regarding MAiD for “mature minors” approaching a foreseeable natural death. The report suggested involving parents or guardians in the assessment process but ultimately prioritized the decision-making capacity of the minor.
The report also recommended consultations and research to understand the views and experiences of minors with respect to MAiD, including those with terminal illnesses, disabilities, and indigenous minors.
Opponents of assisted suicide have criticized the current legislation for not adequately protecting vulnerable individuals. Concerns have also been raised about the increasing prevalence of MAiD, particularly in Quebec, where an estimated 7 percent of all deaths in 2023 are expected to result from MAiD.
Isaac Teo, Marnie Cathcart, and Peter Wilson contributed to this report.