Welcome to MyCanadianShield.ca!

This site educates Canadians about how to complete a health care Advance Directive on their own, at home, today, free of charge.

An Advance Directive (also called a Living Will) is a letter outlining what you would like to happen if you should ever be declared unable to make your own decisions. For example, if you go into a lengthy coma, suffer severe brain damage, or are declared incompetent due to increasing senility, dementia or a mental health diagnosis, an Advance Directive can help you ensure that your own prior wishes for treatment are respected and followed by health care, mental health care, group home, and long term care professionals.

By incorporating a "Power of Attorney" or other type of representation agreement, an Advance Directive may also designate the person whom you would like to make decisions for you about your home, finances and health care treatments when a doctor or psychiatrist deems you to be unable to make your own decisions.

The Supreme Court of Canada has repeatedly upheld the basic right of all Canadian citizens to have their Advance Directives respected and followed. This site is provided as a public service to help you understand what Advance Directives are, why they can be important, and how to write and implement one yourself. It has a special emphasis on preparing for potential involuntary committal and forced treatment under mental health laws. Psychiatric patients have historically had very few civil rights, and this site is intended to aid you in ensuring that your rights and wishes are respected by your mental health care providers.

Follow the step-by-step links below to learn more about how this personal CanadianShield can help protect your right to control your own body and mind.

What is a Health Care Advance Directive or Living Will?

Why Should I Write an Advance Directive?

How Do I Write an Advance Directive and Ensure it's Implemented?

Are you a U.S. citizen? You can learn about Advance Directives in the U.S. by following this link and this link.