Please note: some information on this webpage may be sensitive or difficult to deal with emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. We encourage you to take care of your health and wellness, and have provided mental health and crisis intervention supports below. First Nations people who may require emotional support can contact the 24-Hour KUU-US Crisis Line at 1-800-588-8717 or the Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310. If you have any questions regarding the information below please contact us at MAID@fnha.ca.
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The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) honours end-of-life protocols and recognizes the diversity of First Nations People's views around dying and death.
What is MAID?
Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a process through which a certified health care provider (medical doctor or nurse practitioner) can assist those who meet strict eligibility criteria to receive assistance in ending their life. The Criminal Code of Canada permits MAID only under very specific circumstances.
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) recognizes that:
- Each First Nation community has its own distinct ways, protocols, traditions, and teachings with respect to the end-of-life journey; and
- Each First Nations person has the right to be self-determining and choose their own path.
The FNHA and MAID
The FNHA is currently putting together an Elders' Advisory Committee to guide our work with MAID. We hope to share more information about MAID in the upcoming months.
If you have any questions, you can email the FNHA at MAID@fnha.ca.
The MAID Process
MAID is accessible only to people who are legally eligible. A system of safeguards is in place to ensure that people are protected and that they are supported to make informed decisions. For more information on the provincial eligibility and safeguards, please visit the link here.
It is important to know that anyone who wishes to seek a medically assisted death must undergo a comprehensive assessment. Only when this assessment is completed and the individual is deemed eligible can a MAID provision take place.
How to apply for MAID
First Nations people living in BC seeking MAID can speak with their medical doctor or nurse practitioner, or their regional health authority's MAID Coordination service (see contact information below). MAID request forms are available here.
MAID timeline
MAID next steps
MAID is a fairly new concept, especially for First Nations communities, who believe dying is a sacred process. As MAID legislation develops, health partners will engage with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada for their input.
In October 2023, Health Canada began reaching out to and consulting with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada. The current engagement tool will be open to new input until June 30, 2024. For Health Canada's survey you can click the link here. There will also be virtual and in-person dialogue sessions taking place from February 2024 to April 2024. For more information about these sessions, you can click the link here.
Policies and recommendations are being developed to support MAID assessors and providers with regard to the upcoming legal changes to MAID for those with a Mental Disorder as the Sole Underlying Medical Condition for MAID (MD-SUMC). As of February 29, 2024, Bill C-62 received Royal Assent, delaying MAID eligibility where a Mental Disorder is the Sole Underlying Medical Condition (MD-SUMC) until March 17, 2027.
Resources
Mental health and wellness supports in BC
Some information on this webpage may be sensitive or difficult to deal with emotionally. We encourage you to take time to care for your wholistic well-being. Confidential mental health and crisis intervention supports are listed below and coverage is available through First Nations Health Benefits and Services (FNHBS).
First Nations Health Benefits and Services: Mental Health
FNHBS offers coverage for Mental Health Services across BC. Many providers are registered to bill FNHBS directly for services. Before booking an appointment with a counsellor, you can call 1-855-550-5454 or visit our website to check if you are registered and if the service is eligible for coverage.
Virtual Substance Use & Psychiatry Services
This service is for individuals looking for mental health supports for psychiatry or substance use. To access this resource you require a referral from a health care provider. The FNHA's First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day service provides referral support for anyone who does not have a primary care provider. You can call First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day at 1-855-344-3800 to book an appointment.
For more information, you can visit our Mental Health and Wellness Supports website.
Detailed history of MAID law in Canada
