Help being a US citizen and MAID (question/vent)

[catsandrocks]

I'm a US citizen that just turned 18 recently. Would I have to become a Canadian citizen in order to be eligible for MAID? I read online that it says it is "generally" only for Canadian citizens. I'm sorry if this question is redundant. I don't necessarily have a lot of "brain power" at the moment.

I genuinely think I would qualify. I was diagnosed with BPD around 15-16 years old. I've been sent off to multiple residential treatment centers. I'm currently in DBT, but it hasn't worked in the past. I've failed CBT. I've failed 12 steps. I've failed exposure therapy. I've been on meds (that haven't worked) since I was 14. I genuinely think it fucked up my brain. I've been suicidal since very early childhood. I'm tired of being passed around to different providers that just give up on me. I don't think I can express this in a way that can do it justice: I can't do this anymore. I'm so tired. I'm exhausted. I know that I need to go. I've known that since I was a child and didn't have the words to express it. I am just doing damage control, I guess.

I'm sorry if this is a lot or doesn't entirely fit the "help" section.

 

[Rounded Agony]

In order to be eligible for medical assistance in dying, you must meet all of the following criteria. You must:

• be eligible for health services funded by the federal government, or a province or territory (or during the applicable minimum period of residence or waiting period for eligibility)
  • generally, visitors to Canada are not eligible for medical assistance in dying

 

[Teardrop2021]

It doesn't say you have to be a citizen of Canada. It seems like residents would qualify. From a quick google search it seems like the waiting period to be eligible for health services is a few months, which isn't bad. So maybe you could live there for a few months and then qualify?

 

[Rounded Agony]

It doesn't say you have to be a citizen of Canada. It seems like residents would qualify. From a quick google search it seems like the waiting period to be eligible for health services is a few months, which isn't bad. So maybe you could live there for a few months and then qualify?

You don't. That's because that's federal tier information and health services are administered provincially. In order to qualify at that level, you have to be a resident of a given province, which (depending on the province) entails being a citizen, a permanent resident, a student, or a worker. You need to be able to "prove" residence, and in most cases that you will be in the place you claim to be for at least around half any given year, as well as wait anywhere between 3-6 months from when you arrive until benefits actually become available.

This isn't going to be like how it is in Switzerland. Canada is specifically looking to not get into suicide tourism. Also good luck finding any doctor taking patients at all, let alone two who will sign off on some newly-arrived 18 year old getting assisted suicide. You'd probably be better off saving up the 10k for Pegasos.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

I feel your frustration too. I wish I had the ability to apply at least. But yeah, it's not going to work for either you or me. I'm not sure you would ever be approved being that young, even if you were a citizen. I think for mental health they're going to generally prefer mid-20s as a minimum.

Life can frustrating and tough as a minor because you have little power over your own life and little ability to live on your own terms. Do you think there is any vision for your life that could be worthwhile?

 

[aladdin]

You don't. That's because that's federal tier information and health services are administered provincially. In order to qualify at that level, you have to be a resident of a given province, which (depending on the province) entails being a citizen, a permanent resident, a student, or a worker. You need to be able to "prove" residence, and in most cases that you will be in the place you claim to be for at least around half any given year, as well as wait anywhere between 3-6 months from when you arrive until benefits actually become available.

This isn't going to be like how it is in Switzerland. Canada is specifically looking to not get into suicide tourism. Also good luck finding any doctor taking patients at all, let alone two who will sign off on some newly-arrived 18 year old getting assisted suicide. You'd probably be better off saving up the 10k for Pegasos.

My understanding is that students and foreign workers are not considered permanent residents. You need a PR card, which is basically like US green card, but for Canada. You need that to be hired on permanent basis. Imagine if I were to look for companies to sponsor me in Canada. That would be so desperate, when you could just go to Switzerland lol. I don't know much about it, but even if I do succeed in finding a sponsor, it would probably be on temporary basis, which doesn't grant you permanent resident status. I wish they took visitors :(

 

[Rounded Agony]

My understanding is that students and foreign workers are not considered permanent residents. You need a PR card, which is basically like US green card, but for Canada. You need that to be hired on permanent basis. Imagine if I were to look for companies to sponsor me in Canada. That would be so desperate, when you could just go to Switzerland lol. I don't know much about it, but even if I do succeed in finding a sponsor, it would probably be on temporary basis, which doesn't grant you permanent resident status. I wish they took visitors :(

Temporary workers =/= foreign workers. But again, it depends on the province:

Ontario - To meet the minimum qualifications you must:

• be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12‑month period
• be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you began living in the province
• make Ontario your primary residence

You must also meet at least one of the following additional requirements. You:​

• are in Ontario on a valid work permit and are working full-time in Ontario, for an Ontario employer, for at least six months
• have a Temporary Resident Permit (only certain case types, e.g. 86 through 95) [link is useless though]

British Columbia - A resident is a person who meets all of the following conditions:

• A citizen of Canada or lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence
• Makes their home in B.C.
• Physically present in B.C. at least six months in a calendar year

Study and work permit holders​

Certain other individuals, such as some holders of Study and/or Work Permits, or Work Permits on Working Holiday Programs, which are issued under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and are valid for a period of six or more months, may be deemed residents.​

​

Alberta - Eligible residents You are eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage if you are:

• legally entitled to be in and remain in Canada and make your permanent home in Alberta
• committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in any 12-month period
• not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another province, territory or country
• any other person deemed by the regulations to be a resident or temporary resident, not including a tourist, transient or visitor to Alberta

If you are moving, immigrating, or returning to Alberta from outside Canada, you might be eligible for coverage from the date you established residency. If you have an immigration document from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, you might be eligible for AHCIP coverage. Your eligibility depends on:​

• the type of entry document you have
• any restrictions listed on the document
• the length of time allowed in Canada
• your commitment to live in Alberta for 12 consecutive months

If you are a student from outside Canada, you may be eligible for AHCIP coverage.​

• Students who have a 12-month study permit (valid for an Alberta educational institute) and who will reside in Alberta for 12 months or more are eligible for AHCIP coverage and should apply.
• Students with study permits valid for less than 12 months, may be eligible for AHCIP coverage if their application is accompanied by a letter from the student confirming their intent to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months.

Temporary workers from outside Canada - If you come to Alberta on a work permit you must intend to stay in Alberta for 12 months. To qualify for AHCIP, the minimum acceptable work permit length is 6 months.​

That took a lot longer to put together than I thought. People better bump this once the inevitable storm of Canada-MAiD-related posts engulfs this forum.

 

[Rounded Agony]

In case people find their way here, I combined and refined what I've already posted above with some related content I made for another thread. Hopefully it answers questions before they're asked.

https://sanctioned-suicide.net/thre...a-suicide-tourism-destination-in-2023.103413/