Quebec has adopted a new law that allows patients with serious and incurable diseases to make an advance request for medical assistance in dying.

This means that people who are diagnosed with conditions such as Alzheimer’s can decide to end their lives while they are still competent, even if they lose their capacity later.

Quebec is the first province in Canada to permit this option, which could create a conflict with the federal law that does not recognize advance requests.

The Quebec government says it will work with Ottawa to harmonize the legislation, which aims to respect the autonomy and dignity of patients who want a peaceful death.