Under the law in most provinces, an adult patient, who is mentally competent, normally has the sole right to refuse or consent to any health care treatment, even if refusal increases the seriousness of the illness or the possibility of death. Not every province’s mental health legislation, such as the Alberta Mental Health Act, or the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act in Newfoundland and Labrador, specifies at what age a minor may give legal independent consent for health care. The age may vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the decision to be made. Laws relating to … Continue reading Consenting or refusing health treatment