Medical Assistance in Dying: Lessons for Australia from Canada

Abstract

Canada has recently witnessed dramatic changes in end of life law and policy. Most notably, we have moved from a prohibitive to a permissive regime with respect to medical assistance in dying (MAiD). As a number of Australian states are actively engaged in debates about whether to decriminalise MAiD, it is worth reviewing the Canadian experience and drawing out any lessons that might usefully inform the current processes in Australia.   *Please note that this is an invited contribution and hence not peer reviewed.