Overview
The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD) and the Department of Justice and Public Safety (JPS) are developing a decision-making framework to modernize decision-making legislation and policies in the province.
Legal capacity is the ability for a person to make their own decisions in their life, such as signing contracts, choosing medical treatments or deciding where to live. Capacity is important to many areas of everyday life including health, business and legal decision-making. We are all capable of making our own decisions unless it has been proven otherwise through an assessment or court process.
There are multiple laws in Newfoundland and Labrador that address capacity and decision-making in some way. These laws include but are not limited to the Advance Health Care Directives Act; Adult Protection Act, 2021; Mentally Disabled Persons’ Estates Act; Enduring Powers of Attorney Act; and the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act.
While many of these laws exist to support persons without legal capacity, many do so through substitute decision-making, meaning that someone else makes decisions on the person’s behalf.
CSSD and JPS are engaging the public and key stakeholders to help inform the development of a Framework of Decision-Making so people are supported to make their own decisions.
How Can You Get Involved?
Your feedback is important and is greatly welcomed through this engagement and consultation process.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Online Questionnaire
This questionnaire will be available until noon on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. The questionnaire should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
If you have any questions related to this questionnaire or require an alternate format, please contact decisionmaking@gov.nl.ca.
Please note you must log in or register to complete the questionnaire.
Click Here to Complete the Questionnaire
Written Submissions
If you would like to provide a written submission, you can send a response by mail, fax, text or e-mail.
The deadline for written submissions is noon on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Mail:
Decision-Making Feedback
Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development
2nd Floor, West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Fax: 709-729-6237
Text: 709-725-4463
Email: decisionmaking@gov.nl.ca
How Will Your Feedback Be Used?
The information we receive will be reviewed by CSSD and JPS. Feedback will be considered for the development of a Framework of Decision-Making in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Privacy Statement
Please do not include your name or any information that could identify you. The collection of information is done under the authority of section 61(c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015, for the purpose of collecting public feedback on the development of a Framework of Decision-Making.
Any personal information that may be received will be governed in accordance with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and will only be used for the purpose of informing participants of public engagement results at the end of the process.
If you have any questions about how this information will be collected, used and disclosed, please contact the ATIPP Facilitator for Children, Seniors and Social Development by phone at 709-729-6370 or by email at ATIPP-CSSD@gov.nl.ca. You may also contact the ATIPP Facilitator for Justice and Public Safety by phone at 709-729-0840 or by email at ATIPPJPS@gov.nl.ca.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or additional comments, please contact decisionmaking@gov.nl.ca or by mail, fax or text as listed above.