Families Report Rushed MAID Assessments and Lack of Inclusion in Assisted Death Decisions
A recent study from the University of Alberta has uncovered deeply mixed experiences among Canadian families regarding medical assistance in dying (MAID), with many reporting rushed assessments, incomplete evaluations, and a troubling lack of communication about the decision.
Traumatic Experiences and Family Exclusion
The research, funded by Health Canada, involved one-on-one virtual interviews with families from five provinces—British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec—who supported 35 Canadians who received MAID between October 2024 and January 2025. Families described the process as raw, traumatic, and surreal, with some noting oddly cheerful providers, while others praised caring and compassionate deaths for loved ones who had endured enough suffering.
Many families emphasized that they should be included in such a profound decision, highlighting a tension between patient autonomy and family involvement. In some cases, families only learned of the MAID request after the death occurred, leading to shock and disbelief.
"I got a phone call on June 1st from her family doctor that I had never met. She said, 'I'm sorry to inform you that your mother has passed away,'" one woman recounted. "And I literally told the doctor, I said, 'No, no, no, you've got the wrong person, like, you've called the wrong person.'"
Specific Cases Highlight Systemic Issues
The study points to specific instances that underscore broader concerns. In December, 26-year-old Kiano Vafaeian, who struggled with vision loss from diabetes and depression, died by MAID in a Vancouver funeral home after being denied assisted death multiple times in Ontario, his home province. His mother, upon hearing the news, initially thought it was a prank.
Another case involves 61-year-old Alan Nichols, who had a history of depression and was euthanized in 2021 over the objections of his family and nurse practitioner soon after being hospitalized for a psychiatric episode. His MAID application listed hearing loss as the sole condition, as reported by The Associated Press.
Drivers for MAID and Growing Numbers
Among the findings, the decision for MAID was often driven by unmanageable or unbearable symptoms, such as severe shortness of breath or excruciating pain. One family member described it as, "if you touched the bed, she was in agony." Others feared loss of autonomy, reliance on others for daily tasks like bathing or toileting, or the possibility of moving into a nursing home.
Canada's assisted-death law focuses on the rights and autonomy of individuals to choose when to end their lives, but this study suggests a need for greater family inclusion. The country is noted as having the fastest-growing assisted dying program globally, with 76,475 MAID deaths reported by the end of 2024 since legalization in 2016. Canada is expected to mark its 100,000th MAID death by summer.
Policy Implications and Future Directions
A special joint parliamentary committee is currently meeting to deliberate expanding MAID to those whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness, set to come into effect in March 2027. This study's findings raise important questions about how to balance patient rights with family involvement, ensuring that assessments are thorough and communication is transparent.
The researchers concluded that while some families experienced positive outcomes, the overall picture reveals significant gaps in the process, urging policymakers to consider reforms that address these concerns and support both patients and their loved ones during such critical moments.
