Abstract

Palliative care differs fundamentally from MAiD in its philosophy, intention and approach. While access to MAiD has been guaranteed as a right in Canada, access to palliative care and other supports for living, including home and disability services, has not. There has been expansion in MAiD services but no similar investment in palliative care necessary to improve its access, and in some areas, MAiD expansion has come at the cost of reduced access to palliative care resources. Very few Canadians have access to specialist palliative care which can negatively impact patient outcomes. Without access to high-quality palliative care, some patients may feel that MAiD is their only option because their suffering has been inadequately addressed or they perceive that their families or social supports must carry an excessive burden. This lack of access to palliative care should be considered a failure of the health care system and medical error. Palliative care must remain distinct from MAiD to ensure clarity and to avoid the potential for people to refuse palliative care services because they fear it might hasten death. Canada needs to prioritize investment in and enhancement of palliative care services.