Bill C-41, introduced in Parliament on October 27, 2026, proposes allowing advance requests for medical assistance in dying under specified conditions. Parliament’s tracker confirms first reading is complete; the bill has not become law.

For Ottawa residents, a key condition is provincial legislation. The proposed framework would operate only where a province or territory has rules governing advance requests and a repository to store them.

Adults would need a diagnosis of a serious, incurable illness or disease expected to cause irreversible loss of decision-making capacity. The proposal includes independent practitioner assessments and rules preventing provision when a person clearly refuses or resists.

The bill would also cancel the March 17, 2027 expansion for people whose sole underlying medical condition is mental illness.

Justice Canada says advance requests are currently prohibited under the Criminal Code. Existing, limited waivers of final consent are a separate provision. Residents should consult official information about the rules currently in force.

Official sources: October 27 announcement; Bill C-41 and status; Justice Canada backgrounder; Current federal framework.