Quebec, weary of waiting for Ottawa to update the country’s Criminal Code, has given the green light to authorize certain early requests for medically assistance in dying.

As of October 30, people suffering from a serious and incurable illness leading to an inability to consent to care, such as Alzheimer’s, will be able to submit an advance request for a medically assisted death before their condition leaves them unable to grant consent. This is the last provision to come into force in a bill adopted a year ago by the Quebec government that extends assisted dying (MAID).

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Quebec has adopted a law that broadens access to medical assistance in dying (MAiD) and allows for advance requests for doctor-assisted death, but health law experts warn that clear direction will be needed to help clinicians, patients and the public navigate existing disparities between the federal and provincial regime.

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