According to the latest poll from BC-based Research Co., support for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) has increased since it was introduced in 2016.
In Canada, MAiD is a legal process where a doctor or nurse practitioner helps a patient end their life at their request.
The process is based on strict eligibility criteria with many safeguards.
In order to attain MAiD, an individual must make a formal request, meet a set of eligibility requirements, undergo assessments and then either receive a prescription to self-administer medication or have the substance directly administered by a professional.
In 2021, the eligibility criteria expanded to allow for more people to access the service.
To be eligible for MAiD, an individual must have a grievous and irremediable medical condition. This means a prospective patient must have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability; be in an advanced state of irreversible decline; and endure physical or psychological suffering.
Other eligibility includes being over 18-years-old and being capable of making medical decisions for oneself.
Individuals whose sole condition is a mental disorder are not currently eligible for MAiD in Canada. However, some say this matter is subject to change.
According to Research Co.’s latest poll, British Columbians are 70% in support of Canadians being eligible to receive MAiD.
Conversely, 23% of BC respondents are against MAiD, and 7% said they were unsure.
To the same question, those who voted Liberal in the last federal election were 82% in support of MAiD, while only 68% of Conservative voters were in favour.
When asked how respondents feel personally about the idea of medically assisted dying, 60% said they support the notion, but only under specific conditions, 10% said it should always be allowed, regardless of who requests it and 20% said it should never be allowed.
As for the BC respondents’ feelings about the regulations which MAiD must adhere to, including who is eligible, just over 50% said they were satisfied, 25% were unsatisfied and another 25% were unsure.
In their poll, Research Co. endeavoured to ask BC respondents whether they thought someone with a disability should become eligible for MAiD.
Based on the results, it seems British Columbians are still torn on the matter, as 43% said they were in favour of granting disabled people access to MAiD, while 41% said they did not support this idea. Furthermore, 15% said they were unsure.
In BC, 14,986 have died by MAiD between 2016 and 2024.
