An Advance Directive is a legal document that allows you to set out your instructions for health care treatments in the future, should you become incapable of expressing your wishes. Unlike a representation agreement, it provides specific directions to health care providers and does not appoint a decision-maker. Advance directives are recognized under the Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act.

An Advance Directive enables you to express your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, blood transfusions, pain management, and other medical interventions. It ensures that your health care team is legally bound to follow your instructions, provided they are clear, applicable, and relevant to your current medical condition.

Advance Directives are particularly important for individuals who:

• Want to refuse specific life-sustaining treatments
• Have strong religious or ethical beliefs about medical care
• Are living with chronic or progressive illnesses
• Wish to relieve loved ones of the burden of making difficult decisions during a crisis

When is an Advance Directive Used?

• When you are unconscious or unable to communicate due to illness, injury, or mental incapacity
• During medical emergencies, surgeries, or end-of-life care
• In situations where there is no Representation Agreement or named health care decision-maker
• To ensure that your wishes are respected without delay or ambiguity

At Pax Law Corporation, we work with clients to clearly articulate their medical treatment preferences in compliance with BC law, helping ensure their values and choices are respected in critical health care situations.