How does one apply for MAiD?

To begin an application for MAiD it must be requested by the individual.

 

Track 1: With Reasonably Foreseeable Death

When someone decides MAiD is the route they want to go with, they have to of met all the requirements listed previously, then have a conversation with a healthcare provider with the process and expectations.

Following this conversation, the individual must have an assessment done by two separate healthcare individuals whether it’s a doctor or a nurse they both need to deem this person eligible for the procedure. 

The individual must be informed that they are able to withdraw their application at any point in time even after they have informed of this information, they must provide final consent. If the individual is concerned, they will lose capacity to provide informed consent they are able to essentially pre-sign the agreement for administration and have the date scheduled (Government of Canada, 2024).

Track 2: When Death is Not Reasonably Foreseeable.

This is going to be introduced in March 2027.

When MAiD is the preferred route most of the application process is the same. 

The main difference is when the two healthcare providers are doing the assessment they must have extensive knowledge in this field of the mental illness. 

Then there is a 90-day waiting period. This is to explore other options to reduce pain and suffering. This can also be shortened if the individual is at risk of losing mental capacity.

When the application is successful how exactly MAiD is executed?

There are two options, and these are decided upon individual assessment and requests.

1) An IV injection can take about 10-15 minutes by a healthcare professional.  This usually consists of midazolam to sedate the patient. The next is propofol to enter a deep 'coma'. Then the final drug is rocuronium. This will paralyze the muscles in the body allowing the patient to stop breathing peacefully (Laverty, 2025).

2) Self-administered oral dose could take up to hours, if this has not worked within an agreed time frame the healthcare provider may initiate IV administration to complete the process as well. This is done with secobarbital, which is a short-acting central nervous depressant drug, that reduces brain activity. This is also mixed with a syrup-type liquid to offset the taste.

References

Central Forms Repository. (2012). Clinician Aid A: Patient request for medical assistance in dying. https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/en/dataset/014-3889-22 

Central Forms Repository. (2012). Clinician Aid B: Medical practitioner or nurse practitioner—Primary assessment for medical assistance in dying. https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/dataset/014-3890-22 

Central Forms Repository. (2012). Clinician Aid C: Medical practitioner or nurse practitioner—Secondary assessment for medical assistance in dying. https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/dataset/014-3891-22 

Dying With Dignity Canada. (2024). What to expect at a MAID death [PDF]. https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DWDC_2024_WhatToExpectAtAMAIDDeath.pdf 

Government of Canada, Department of Justice. (2024, July 31). Canada’s medical assistance in dying (MAID) law. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/ad-am/bk-di.html 

Government of Ontario. (2024, May 29). Medical assistance in dying and end‑of‑life decisions. https://www.ontario.ca/page/medical-assistance-dying-and-end-life-decisions 

Laverty, C. (2025, June 20). Clarification about the medications used in a MAID provision. Dying With Dignity Canada. https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/blog/clarification-about-the-medications-used-in-a-maid-provision/