E-7372: Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled — Canadian Petition Tracker
Canonical URL: https://petitiontracker.ca/petition/e-7372
Track petition E-7372 — "Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled" sponsored by Dan Albas. 292 signatures and counting. See signature growth trends and provincial breakdown on PetitionTracker.ca.
Petition Text
Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled
Whereas:
• Nine years ago, my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Wanting to preserve his dignity and autonomy, he applied for and was initially approved for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). But when his condition progressed to the point where he would have chosen to proceed, he could not longer make express his wish;
• A year ago he entered long-term-care - something he has clearly hoped to avoid. He no longer knows my name, though he still recognizes me. Most days he does not know our children, grandchildren, siblings or friends. He wanders the halls or sits quietly and we lose a bit more of him each day. This is a reality for many families living with dementia, whose voices go unheard under current legislation;
• Canada's MAID law requires individuals to be mentally competent at the time of the procedure, overlooking the unique circumstances of those with dementia;
• Advance requests - made while a person is still capable - should be recognized to honour their wishes and prevent prolonged suffering;
• This is not just personal, it is a national issue affecting countless families forced to watch loved ones endure a life they never wanted;
• With clear safeguards, advance MAID requests can offer dignity, compassion and choice - ensuring Canadians with dementia have a voice in their end-of-life care; and
• It is time for our laws to reflect the compassion our healthcare system strives to protect.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to allow advance directives for MAID for Canadians diagnosed with dementia.