Understanding MAiD: An Informed Conversation with Dr. Daws
Friday 27th November 2026
10am – 11am

Conversations about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) can bring up many questions, emotions, and uncertainties, particularly when living with a progressive condition such as Parkinson’s. This session offers a compassionate and informative space to learn more about MAiD and consider questions around future planning, quality of life, and personal wishes for care.

Join Dr. Tanja Daws for an overview of MAiD in Canada, including what MAiD is, who may be eligible, how the assessment process works, and what individuals can expect if they choose to explore MAiD as an option. Dr. Daws will discuss considerations that may be particularly relevant to people living with Parkinson’s and their families, including changes that may occur as the disease progresses and the importance of having conversations about future care and personal values.

The goal of this presentation is not to encourage or discourage any particular choice, but to provide clear, trusted information so participants can better understand their options and make informed decisions about their own care. We hope participants will leave feeling more informed and less uncertain, and with greater confidence in having conversations with their healthcare providers, care partners, and loved ones.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions in a safe, respectful, and supportive environment, recognizing that everyone’s experiences, values, and wishes around end-of-life care are unique. If you have a question you would like the speaker to address during the session, you are welcome to submit it in advance by emailing info@parkinson.bc.ca

About the Speaker:

Dr. Tanja Daws is a family physician and MAiD provider from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. She has been involved in MAiD work for over a decade. She is a founding member of the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers (CAMAP), a member of its Emeritus Council, and helped develop and continues to teach the National MAiD Curriculum. She is also a Clinical Instructor at UBC and a member of the Dying With Dignity Physician Advisory Council.

Parkinson Society BC appreciates all gifts, as they allow us to continue to offer programs people with Parkinson’s disease and their carepartners rely on. If you wish, you can make a donation by entering an amount in the Additional Donation field.