Perspectives on Changes to Canada’s MAID Laws

20 December 2022

On behalf of Postmedia, Leger surveyed Canadians about their perspectives on changes to Canada’s MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) laws from December 9 to 11, 2022.

SOME OF THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR SURVEY ON CHANGES TO CANADA’S MAID LAWS INCLUDE…

Serious Mental Illnesses: Canadians are split on whether or not some serious mental illnesses might be considered life-ending illnesses: 42% say yes and 43% say no (16% are not sure).

Awareness of Changes to Canada’s MAID Laws: 64% of Canadians are not aware of the upcoming changes to the MAID laws in Canada, which will allow people suffering from certain mental illnesses to be able to choose to end their life through medical assistance in dying.

Opinions on the Speed of Expanding MAID: 39% of Canadians think expanding MAID access to those suffering from mental illnesses as of March 2023 is moving too quickly, while 40% think there has been enough consideration. 21% are not sure.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

  • A web survey was conducted among 1,526 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, via Leger’s online panel, LEO.
  • The data was collected from December 9 to 11, 2022.
  • As a non-probability online survey, a margin of error is technically not reported. If the data were collected through a probability sample, the margin of error would be ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.
  • Using data from the 2021 census, the results were weighted according to age, gender and region, as well as by education and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the population.

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