Support for ban on doctor-raised MAiD highest among Canadians aged 18 to 34, according to survey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 December, 2024
OTTAWA – Support for a ban on doctors proactively offering euthanasia or assisted suicide to patients is almost evenly split in Canada, according to a new survey by the Angus Reid Institute in partnership with Cardus. A full 40% of Canadians say doctors shouldn’t be allowed to mention MAiD until the patient asks for it, while 43% would oppose such a ban. Another 17% are undecided. Support for a ban is highest among men aged 18 to 34, at 51%, followed closely by 48% of women in the same age group.
“MAiD is not just another care option and should not be presented as such” says Dr. Rebecca Vachon, health program director at Cardus. “Canada should follow the lead of jurisdictions like New Zealand and some Australian states which include such a prohibition as a safeguard on their assisted dying programs. Even well-meaning clinicians may not recognize how raising such an option could be interpreted as a recommendation or as a sign that a physician has given up on their care.”
Canadians are equally split on whether patients would feel pressured to choose death if a doctor proactively raised MAiD with them. While 41% of Canadians agree a patient would feel pressure to accept MAiD if a doctor raised it, another 41% disagree that patients would feel such pressure. Once again, those aged 18 to 34 were the most likely to fear patients being pressured into an early death.
Having a disability also changes perceptions on the question. Half of the respondents with a severe disability agreed that they would worry about pressure to accept MAiD if a doctor proactively raised it. Concern drops to 38% among Canadians with no disabilities.
“We already know that Canadians with disabilities face particular barriers to accessing healthcare and other supports, including experiencing ableism or bias from providers and institutions,” says Vachon. “Politicians, policymakers, regulators, and medical professionals need to prioritize removing those barriers while protecting vulnerable individuals from potential pressure to accept premature death instead of care.”
Full details on the survey data are available online.
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MEDIA INQUIRIES
Daniel Proussalidis
Cardus – Director of Communications
613-241-4500 x508
media@cardus.ca
Dave Korzinski
Angus Reid Institute – Research Director
250-899-0821
dave.korzinski@angusreid.org
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