The B.C. government has passed a regulation requiring all deaths that are the result of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to be reported to the BC Coroners Service.
Parliament last month changed federal legislation to permit medical assistance in dying in specific circumstances. The federal government has indicated it will work with the provinces and territories to develop regulations ensuring the consistent reporting of MAiD deaths across the country. The regulation passed by the cabinet will ensure that in the interim all such deaths in B.C. are reported to the BC Coroners Service.
The role of the BC Coroners Service will be to ensure compliance with the federal and provincial laws and regulations, and also to gather information about MAiD deaths in B.C. for aggregate reporting purposes.
The BC Coroners Service will work with the Ministry of Health to ensure all those involved are aware of the new requirements.