A new DWDC report finds widespread misinformation and end-of-life planning gaps among Canadian caregivers and seniors — with implications for plan sponsors
As Canada’s workforce ages, a new national survey on medical assistance in dying (MAID) has found that nearly half of Canadians have not put end-of-life legal documents in place. The finding is relevant to plan sponsors and HR professionals managing benefits for an increasingly older employee base.
Dying With Dignity Canada (DWDC) released the report on June 17, 2026. Commissioned through Environics Research and titled A Decade of Choice: Canadian Perspectives on MAID, it marks 10 years since the legislation was introduced following the Carter v Canada Supreme Court of Canada decision.
DWDC also launched a new public education platform, WeCanChoose.ca, on the same date.
Nearly one quarter of Canadians belong to the Baby Boomer generation. The oldest of that cohort are now turning 80, according to DWDC. That demographic shift is reshaping workforce composition and the caregiving responsibilities many employees carry.
End-of-life planning gaps among caregivers
The report draws on two Environics Research surveys conducted in early 2026.
The first was a general population survey of Canadians aged 18 and up. The second was an in-depth survey of more than 2,000 seniors aged 65 and older, caregivers aged 50 and older, and people personally connected to MAID.
Only about half of caregivers said the person they support has shared end-of-life wishes with them. Almost half of all respondents said they do not have the necessary legal documents in place. That includes Powers of Attorney for health and financial decisions.
The report also identified the most common misunderstanding about the procedure. Many respondents believed a person holding Power of Attorney can consent to end-of-life assistance on someone else’s behalf. That is not permitted under Canadian law.
For plan sponsors supporting employees through caregiving roles, these gaps point to an unmet need within benefits communications.
MAID misinformation is widespread
Support for MAID across Canada is high. More than eight in 10 respondents said they strongly or somewhat support it. That figure holds at 81 per cent among seniors and caregivers, rising to 89 per cent among those personally connected to the issue.
Despite that broad support, misinformation remains a persistent problem. Many respondents reported confusion about MAID eligibility criteria and safeguards and how the process works in practice.
A separate 2026 Canadian Medical Association survey found approximately 9 in 10 Canadians go online for health information. A majority of those reported encountering misleading or false information.
“The research reflects the need for reliable, clear, and accurate information, and where and how people look for that information,” said Helen Long, CEO of Dying With Dignity Canada. “Inaccurate or misleading information regarding end-of-life choices can cause harm.”
A new resource for education on MAID
DWDC launched WeCanChoose.ca to address that information gap. The platform draws on more than 40 primary interviews with patients, caregivers, family members, and clinicians. It also incorporates a review of more than 60 academic and peer-reviewed papers from health care providers.
The site features written content, interactive tools, and video interviews in plain language. It is available at no cost to users across Canada.
“Clarity is a form of compassion,” said Long. “By combining clear, accessible information with the lived experience of people in Canada, the platform aims to provide understanding and support when people need it most.”
For plan sponsors managing aging workforce benefits strategies, the report’s emphasis on caregiver readiness and legal documentation gaps may warrant attention in employee assistance program design.
The full report is available at dyingwithdignity.ca.
