How to Prepare a Living Will Form

A Living Will, formally known in Ontario as a Power of Attorney for Personal Care, allows you to appoint someone to make personal care decisions—such as medical treatment or living arrangements—if you're ever unable to do so yourself.

Each province in Canada has its own version of a Living Will. While the core purpose remains the same, there are slight differences across jurisdictions. These may include variations in terminology, formatting, or additional province-specific clauses. Throughout this article, we’ll refer to the document as a Power of Attorney for Personal Care and to your chosen decision-makers as Attorneys, though these titles may differ in your province. Any province-specific details will be clearly noted along the way.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the Ontario Living Will (with some other provincial specifications) and a British Columbia Living Will as examples.

• Ontario Living Will (with other provincial specifications)
• British Columbia Living Will

Ontario Living Will

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Entering Personal Information

• Full Name: Enter the full legal name of the person (Maker) creating the Power of Attorney for Personal Care.

• City/Town: Enter the city or town where the Maker resides.

• Province/Territory: Enter the province or territory where the Maker resides.

• Phone Number: Provide the current phone number of the Maker.

• Gender: Specify the gender of the Maker.

• Does this Maker still have the capacity to give consent?:

  • Check "Yes (Mandatory)" if the Maker currently has the mental capacity to provide consent.

  • Check "No" if the Maker does not currently have the capacity to provide consent.

Entering Designate Attorneys and Alternates

Select up to five individuals to act as your Attorneys, who will make decisions for you when you are no longer able to give consent. Attorneys can act either jointly or successively based on your selection.

For each Attorney you list, you will need to complete the following information:

First Attorney

• Full Name: Enter the complete legal name of the Attorney.

• City/Town: Enter the city or town where the Attorney resides.

• Phone Number: Provide a current phone number for the Attorney.

• Email: Provide a valid email address for the Attorney.

Second Attorney (if applicable)

• Full Name: Enter the complete legal name of the second Attorney.

• City/Town: Enter their city or town of residence.

• Phone Number: Enter their current phone number.

• Email: Provide their email address.

Specifying Decision Making

If you picked two or more Attorneys, will they work together or successively, in order which they were named?

• Successively – Check this off if you want only one Attorney to act at a time, in the order listed. If the first Attorney is unable or unwilling, the next person listed will take over.

• Jointly – Check this off if you want all your Attorneys to work together and make decisions as a group.

If you picked Jointly (THREE OR MORE ATTORNEYS), I would like decisions made using:

• Majority vote – Check this off if you want decisions to go through when the majority of your Attorneys agree.

• Unanimous vote – Check this off if you want all your Attorneys to agree before a decision is made.

• Duties and Authority of Attorneys – Check this off if you want your Attorneys to follow the official duties and powers set out in the document.

Specifying Attorney Authority

• Full authority subject to my instructions – Check this off if you want your Attorney(s) to make personal care decisions for you, but only as long as they follow the instructions outlined in this Living Will. They will not have the power to override or ignore your stated wishes.

• Full authority even if overriding my instructions – Check this off if you want your Attorney(s) to have full decision-making power, including the ability to override or disregard your instructions in this Living Will when they believe it is necessary.

• Specific authority – Check this off if you only want your Attorney(s) to make decisions in certain areas. You will be able to outline exactly what powers you wish to grant in the space provided below.

• If you selected Specific Authority, use the space below to clearly describe the types of personal decisions each Attorney is allowed to make. (For example, you may wish to give one Attorney the authority to make decisions about your medical care only, while another may handle decisions about your living arrangements or daily support.)

Statement of Values and Beliefs (Optional)

Use this section to express your personal values and beliefs that you would like your Attorney(s) and health care providers to consider when making decisions on your behalf. This statement is not legally binding, but it can offer valuable insight into your wishes and guide decision-making in situations where you are unable to speak for yourself.

Examples may include:

• "My fundamental belief is that a person should be allowed to die with grace and dignity and that a life should not be prolonged with aggressive medical treatment where the resulting quality of life is poor and where there is no reasonable expectation of recovery."

• "I value independence and autonomy, and I prefer to remain in my own home for as long as it is safely possible."

• "My faith and spiritual beliefs are important to me, and I would like these to be respected in any medical treatment I receive."

Entering Terminal Condition Information

If your condition is determined to be terminal and there is no hope of recovery, indicate your preferences for each of the following treatments:

Life Support

• Check this if you want all possible life-prolonging procedures.

• Check this if you DO NOT want to be kept alive by artificial life support.

• Check this to enter custom instructions (e.g., only certain life support methods).

Tube Feeding

• Check this if you want tube feeding.

• Check this if you DO NOT want tube feeding.

• Check this to enter custom instructions (e.g., tube feeding only for a limited time).

CPR

• Check this if you want to be given CPR if your heart stops.

• Check this if you DO NOT want CPR if your heart stops.

• Check this to enter custom instructions (e.g., allow CPR only in certain situations).

Intervening Illness

• Check this if you want other illnesses to be treated, even if you have a terminal condition.

• Check this if you DO NOT want other illnesses to be treated in a terminal condition.

• Check this to enter custom instructions (e.g., treat minor illnesses but not major interventions).

Entering Persistent Unconsciousness Information

If you are persistently unconscious with no hope of recovery, indicate your preferences for the following:

Life Support

• Check this if you want all possible life-prolonging procedures.

• Check this if you DO NOT want to be kept alive by artificial life support.

• Check this to enter custom instructions.

Tube Feeding

• Check this if you want tube feeding.

• Check this if you DO NOT want tube feeding.

• Check this to enter custom instructions.

CPR

• Check this if you want to be given CPR if your heart stops beating.

• Check this if you DO NOT want to be given CPR if your heart stops beating.

• Check this to enter custom instructions.

Intervening Illness

• Check this if you want other illnesses to be treated, even if you are persistently unconscious.

• Check this if you DO NOT want other illnesses to be treated.

• Check this to enter custom instructions.

Entering Severe and Permanent Mental Impairment Information

If you are severely and permanently mentally impaired, indicate what treatments you would or would not like to receive:

Life Support

• Check this if you want all possible life-prolonging procedures.

• Check this if you DO NOT want to be kept alive by artificial life support.

• Check this to enter custom instructions.

Tube Feeding

• Check this if you want tube feeding.

• Check this if you DO NOT want tube feeding.

• Check this to enter custom instructions.

CPR

• Check this if you want to be given CPR if your heart stops beating.

• Check this if you DO NOT want to be given CPR.

• Check this to enter custom instructions.

Intervening Illness

• Check this if you want other illnesses to be treated even if you are mentally impaired.

• Check this if you DO NOT want other illnesses to be treated.

• Check this to enter custom instructions.

Entering Comfort and Dignity Information

In this section, you may choose to include specific instructions related to the use of medication for your comfort—especially if you are suffering due to a terminal condition, persistent unconsciousness, or severe mental impairment. Check the box(es) if you'd like these statements included in your Living Will:

• Include a statement regarding behaviour-controlling drugs: Check this off if you want to authorize the use of behaviour-controlling drugs (e.g., sedation) in the event your behaviour becomes violent or degrading due to your condition.

• Include a statement regarding pain-controlling drugs: Check this off if you want to ensure your pain is managed with medication, even if it could worsen your physical condition or shorten your life.

Specifying Other Treatments

Do you have strong feelings about certain kinds of medical treatment you wish to express in your Living Will?

• No – Check this off if you do not wish to specify preferences.

• Yes – Check this off if you want to indicate consent or refusal for certain treatments.

If Yes, review the following treatments and indicate your preferences by selecting one option for each:

Treatments:

• Antibiotics

• Blood Transfusion

• Chemotherapy

• Defibrillation

• Intravenous

• Intubation

• Kidney Dialysis

• Radiation

• Surgery

Options (for each treatment):

• Consent – Check this off if you consent to receiving the treatment.

• Refuse – Check this off if you do not want to receive the treatment.

• Do Not Specify – Check this off if you prefer not to make a decision at this time.

Do you have strong feelings about any other treatments not listed above?

• No – Check this off if there are no additional preferences.

• Yes – Check this off if there are other specific treatments you'd like to address.

• If Yes, provide any additional instructions in the space provided. For example, "my religious beliefs strictly prohibit any medical treatment that involves the transfusion of whole blood or the transfusion of constituent blood products including red cells, white cells, platelets or plasma even in the case of a medical emergency."

Entering Specific Authority Details (Alberta Only)

If you are preparing a Living Will in Alberta, you may choose to grant Specific Authority instead of full authority to your Agents.

If you select this option, use the space provided to describe exactly what decisions each of your Agents can make.

Example of areas you may include:

• Healthcare

• Accommodation

• Participation in social activities

• The people with whom you may live

• Where you may work

• Educational activities

• Authority over legal matters

Designating Someone to Determine Incapacity (Alberta Only)

You have the option to designate specific individuals who will be responsible for determining whether you are incapacitated and unable to make personal care decisions for yourself.

• Check “Yes” if you wish to name someone to make this determination.

• Check “No” if you do not want to appoint someone.

If Yes, you will need to complete the following:

• Full Name – Enter the full legal name of the individual who will assess your capacity.

• Address – Provide their full mailing address.

• City – Enter the city where they reside.

• Province – Specify the province or territory.

Confidential Information (Alberta Only)

You have the option to provide instructions regarding access to your confidential information.

• Check “Yes” if you would like to specify who may access your confidential information and under what conditions.

• Check “No” if you do not wish to provide specific instructions.

If Yes is selected, provide clear instructions in the space provided. This may include:

• Who is permitted to access your confidential information

• What types of information may be accessed (e.g. medical records, legal documents, financial statements)

• Any limitations or conditions on access

Designate Agents for Temporary Care of Minor Children (Alberta Only)

If you have minor children, you may designate an Agent to take temporary responsibility for their care and education.

• Check “Yes” if you wish to appoint someone to act as a temporary guardian in the event you are unable to care for your children due to incapacity or emergency.

• Check “No” if you do not wish to appoint a temporary guardian.

Specifying Organ Donation Details

You may choose to include directions about your preferences regarding organ and tissue donation.

• Check “Yes” if you wish to provide instructions about donating your organs or tissues after death. This may include full donation, specific organs, or limitations based on personal or religious beliefs.

• Check “No” if you do not wish to include any organ donation directions in your Living Will.

Specifying Revocation Details

You can specify how and when your Power of Attorney for Personal Care should be revoked.

• As provided by law – Check this off if you want your POA to be revoked according to the default rules under your provincial legislation (e.g. death, marriage, court order).

• On a certain date – Check this off if you want your POA to end on a specific date. Be sure to clearly state the date in the provided space.

• When an event occurs – Check this off if you want the POA to be revoked when a particular event takes place (e.g. “When I regain capacity after heart surgery”). Clearly describe the event in your form.

Agent Acknowledgement (Optional - Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan Only)

You have the option to request that your Attorneys formally acknowledge their role by signing the Power of Attorney for Personal Care document.

• Yes – Check this off if you want your Attorneys to sign and acknowledge that they understand and accept their responsibilities.

• No – Check this off if you do not want or require your Attorneys to provide a signed acknowledgment.

Notification of Incapacity (Optional - Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Only)

Here you may designate people who need to be notified in case you become incapacitated.

• Yes – Check this off if you want to name individuals who should be informed if you become incapacitated. You will need to provide their full name, address, city/town, and province.

• If Yes, you will need to provide the following details for each contact person:

  • • Full Name: Enter the full name of the contact person.

    • Address: Provide their mailing address.

    • City/Town: Enter the city or town where they reside.

    • Province: Indicate their province of residence.

• No – Check this off if you do not want to designate anyone for notification.

Additional Instructions (Optional)

Finally, you may wish to include any additional instructions that haven’t already been addressed in your Living Will. These might include special wishes, clarifications, or requests that are important to you.

Yukon: Special Requirements

In the Yukon, there are certain health care decisions that require legal consultation before an Attorney for Personal Care can consent on your behalf. These include:

• Consent to physically restrain, move, or manage the Maker, or to have them physically restrained, moved, or managed, even if the Maker objects.

• Consent to specific types of health care that the Maker is refusing at the time care is provided.

• Consent to waive the Maker's right to apply to a board for a decision regarding their capability to consent or refuse care under this Act.

• Abortion, unless recommended by your physician and at least one other medical practitioner.

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), unless recommended by your physician and one other medical practitioner.

• Consent to the removal of tissue from the Maker for implantation in another person or for medical research.

• Consent to experimental health care that involves a foreseeable risk not outweighed by the expected therapeutic benefit.

• Consent to participation in medical research that has not been approved by a recognized ethics committee.

• Consent to any treatment or therapy involving punishment to modify behaviour.

British Columbia Living Will

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Entering Personal Information

• Full Name: Enter your full legal name as it appears on government documents.

• Address: Write your current home address.

• Phone: Provide your primary phone number where you can be reached.

• Personal Health (CareCard) Number (OPTIONAL): You can include your health card number if you’d like it to be part of your records.

• Gender: Indicate your gender.

• Date of Birth: Enter your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).

Entering Capacity to Consent Information

To complete this document, you must still be capable of understanding and consenting to the instructions provided.

• Check Yes (Mandatory) if you are still capable of giving consent.

• Check No only if you are no longer able to understand or consent — in which case, this Living Will may not be considered valid.

Entering Designate Representatives and Alternates

You can name up to five people to act as your Representatives. These individuals will make personal care decisions on your behalf if you're no longer capable of doing so yourself. You’ll decide whether they act jointly (together) or successively (in a specific order, one at a time).

Start by filling in your First Representative's details:

• Full Name: Write the full legal name of the person you're choosing.

• City/Town: Indicate where they currently live.

• Phone: Provide their main phone number.

• Email: Add their email address for easy communication.

• Date of Birth: Record their date of birth to confirm their identity.

Specifying Decision Making Details

If you’ve appointed two or more Representatives, you’ll need to decide how they should make decisions on your behalf.

Select one of the following options:

• Successively – Check this if you want your Representatives to act one at a time, in the order you’ve listed them. The first Representative listed will have full decision-making authority, and only if they are unable or unwilling to act will the next one take over.

• Jointly – Check this if you want your Representatives to work together. They’ll share responsibility and must make decisions as a group.\

• If you selected Jointly and have named three or more Representatives, choose how decisions should be made:

• Majority vote – Check this if you're comfortable with a decision being made when most of your Representatives agree.

• Unanimous vote – Check this if you want all of your Representatives to agree before a decision can be made.

Specifying Duties and Authority of Representatives Details

Here, you're deciding how much authority your Representatives will have when making personal decisions on your behalf.

Select 1 of the following:

• Full authority subject to my instructions: Check this off if you want your Representatives to follow your instructions exactly. They will have authority to act, but they cannot override anything you've stated in this Living Will.

• Full authority even if overriding my instructions: Check this off if you trust your Representatives to act in your best interest, even if that means disregarding or overriding the instructions in your Living Will.

• Specific Authority: Check this off if you want to limit your Representatives' authority to only certain areas (e.g. healthcare, accommodation, legal matters, etc.). You’ll be asked to describe these areas in the section below.

Specifying Healthcare Instructions

This section is where you clearly state which healthcare treatments you consent to, especially regarding life-sustaining care. Use this space to express your values and preferences so your Representatives and healthcare providers understand your wishes.

Example Statements (choose or personalize one):

• "I consent to life-sustaining treatment and artificial hydration and nutrition to prolong my life, even if it may cause me pain or discomfort."

• "I do not consent to life-sustaining treatment if it will only prolong suffering or if there is no reasonable hope of recovery."

• "I am bound by my religious beliefs to refuse certain treatments including: blood transfusions, organ transplants, and any procedure that violates my faith."

• "I only wish to receive comfort care, and I do not want artificial hydration or nutrition if I am in a permanent unconscious state with no prospect of recovery."

Specifying Organ Donation Details

This section allows you to provide clear instructions about your wishes regarding organ or tissue donation after death. This decision can have a significant impact, and making your choice here helps ensure that your wishes are respected.

Do you want to give directions about organ donation?

• No – Check this if you do not wish to give any specific instructions about organ donation.
• Yes – Check this if you do want to give instructions. Then, select one of the following options:
• If Yes, you must choose one:

  • I want to donate my organs or tissues upon death - Check this off if you wish to help others by donating your organs or tissues after your passing.

  • I DO NOT want to donate my organs or tissues upon death - Check this off if you do not wish to donate your organs or tissues under any circumstances.

  • Other, type your wishes, instructions, or beliefs about organ donation here. - Check this off if your choice depends on specific factors, religious beliefs, or if you’d like to limit the types of donations (e.g. only donate corneas, or donate for research but not transplant).

Specifying Revocation Details

This section allows you to decide how and when your Representation Agreement may be revoked. You can choose to follow the standard legal rules, specify a date, or set a condition under which the agreement will end.

The Representation Agreement may be revoked:

• As provided by law - Check this off if you want your agreement to be revoked based on the general legal rules in your province or territory.

• On a certain date (enter the date) - Check this off if you want the agreement to automatically end on a specific date. Be sure to clearly write in the exact date.

• When an event occurs (e.g. “When I regain capacity after heart surgery”) - Check this off if you want the agreement to be revoked upon a specific condition or event. Clearly describe the event so your Representatives understand when their authority ends.

Entering Notification of Incapacity Details (Optional)

Do you wish to designate who needs to be notified in case you become incapacitated?

• No - Check this off if you do not wish to designate anyone to be notified.

• Yes - Check this off if you want to designate someone to be notified. Then complete the information below.

If Yes, complete below:

• Name: Enter the full name of the contact person.

• Address (Street, City, Province): Provide their full mailing address so they can be contacted promptly.

• Phone: Include a phone number where they can be reached easily.

Entering Additional Instructions (Optional)

Do you want to include any additional instructions?

• No - Check this if you do not wish to include anything further.

• Yes, write down additional clauses (that do NOT contradict clauses outlined above). - Check this if you have further details, preferences, or guidance you'd like to include. This could relate to your care, communication preferences, or anything else you feel is important for your representatives or healthcare providers to know.