Community Consultations on Facilitating Access to Peer Support for People Seeking Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Invitation to Participate: Community Consultation on Facilitating Access to Peer Support for People Seeking Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Peer Support Canada and PeerWorks invite members of the peer support community to participate in an upcoming national consultation on facilitating access to peer support for peers wishing to discuss Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), and what peer supporters need to be able to accompany people well through these conversations.

Across Canada, peer supporters are increasingly being asked to hold space for individuals who are exploring or considering MAiD. Through a national discussion series we have co-facilitated seven times over 2025-2026 with 65+ peer supporters across the country, we have begun to hear important insights from peer supporters about how these conversations are being approached in practice. We’ve also heard about the opportunities, tensions, and unanswered questions that exist for the peer
support sector.

PeerWorks and Peer Support Canada recognize that Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) raises strong and diverse perspectives across communities. Regardless of personal views, peer supporters may be asked by peers to discuss this topic. Our goal is to support the peer support workforce with relevant training and resources to equip them to navigate these circumstances.

 

We’ll be running the same consultation session twice, to allow for varying availability. Please only register for one of the
two scheduled dates. A max of 40 participants will be invited to attend each session, based on a lottery system. We will also be
facilitating a workshop on this topic at the National Peer Support Conference. If you intend to attend this event, please
refrain from registering for this online consultation.  

Friday April 10 12:00 - 1:30 EST
Friday April 17 1:00 - 2:30 EST

This session is an opportunity for us to share back what we’ve heard so far and to invite broader community input to help shape the direction of future work, and messaging. Specifically, we are working on a guidance document for the Canadian community of MAiD assessors, providers, and researchers on: (i) what we believe to be the unique role and contribution of peer support to MAiD policy and practice, and (ii) what it will take for the healthcare system to ensure sustainable access to peer support for anyone requesting MAiD who wishes to participate in an authentic peer support relationship.

During this consultation, we will:

  • Discuss the intentions and activities of the MAiD Discussion Series initiative for peer supporters over 2024-2026

  • Share and seek feedback on the statements in the draft guidance document

  • Explore some of the differing perspectives and tensions around what the role of peer support should be in the context of MAiD

  • Invite feedback on what may be missing, misunderstood, or not yet fully captured in our work to date

 

We recognize that MAiD is a complex and often deeply personal topic, shaped by a range of experiences, beliefs, and social contexts. This consultation is intended to create space for thoughtful, respectful dialogue grounded in the values of peer support.

All members of the peer support community who are able to embody the values of peer support in the discussion are welcome to attend.