This is a summary of the findings of a new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Dying With Dignity Canada released in April 2025 regarding support for medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada.    

A sample of 1,001 Canadians aged 18 years and over was interviewed on the Ipsos I-Say Panel from March 20-25, 2025. Weighting was employed to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects the overall population according to latest census information. 

Key findings   

Support for the Carter v. Canada decision remains strong and increased slightly to 85 per cent. Support is highest in Ontario at 89 per cent and Boomers show the strongest support at 88 per cent. 

Eighty-four (84) per cent of people across Canada support advance requests for MAID for a person that has a diagnosis of a capacity-impairing grievous and irremediable condition whose trajectory will eventually cause a loss of decisional competence. Support is higher from those who have experience with degenerative neurocognitive disorders at 88 per cent, especially those who have a family member with a diagnosis – 89 per cent. 

An advance request for MAID would allow an individual to describe, in writing, a future circumstance in which they would like to access an assisted death. 

Seventy-two (72) per cent of people across Canada support advance requests for medical assistance in dying for patients who are competent at the time of the request even if they are not diagnosed with a grievous and irremediable medical condition. Ninety-two (92) per cent of those who say they either personally suffer from a degenerative neuro-cognitive disorder, or 79 per cent know someone who does, are most likely to support this type of advance request. 

Thirty-four (34) per cent of people across Canada say that knowing that Quebec has passed a provincial law authorizing medical assistance in dying pursuant to an advance request under certain circumstances makes them more likely to support national legislation. 

Twenty-seven (27) per cent of people across Canada say they have some experience with someone who has a degenerative neurocognitive disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. 

Dying With Dignity Canada is the national human-rights charity committed to improving quality of dying, protecting end-of-life rights, and helping people across Canada avoid unwanted suffering.