【Legal & Healthcare Wishes】 Representation Agreement (RA)
In British Columbia, the primary legal documents for planning your healthcare and personal care wishes are RA7 (for routine decisions) and RA9 (for major medical decisions).
RA7 (Section 7 / Standard Representation Agreement)
- Who Needs It & When: Designed for adults whose mental/cognitive capability is already in question or declining (e.g., individuals with advanced dementia, developmental disabilities, or severe brain injuries). It can be made as long as the adult can express basic preferences and show trust in their chosen representative.
- Brief Overview: A standard agreement with a lower capacity threshold. It grants the representative standard powers to assist with routine health care, personal care, and day-to-day routine financial/legal matters (such as paying bills or receiving income).
- Limitations: The representative cannot make major medical or end-of-life decisions (e.g., refusing life-sustaining treatment) or handle real estate.
RA9 (Section 9 / Enhanced Representation Agreement)
- Who Needs It & When: Designed for adults who currently have full mental/cognitive capacity and wish to plan ahead for the future in case they become incapacitated due to illness or injury later in life.
- Brief Overview: The most comprehensive health care planning document in BC. It grants broad and sweeping authority over all health care and personal care decisions, explicitly including major medical decisions and end-of-life care (such as consenting to or refusing life-support).
- Limitations: It does not cover any financial or legal matters. Capable adults typically pair an RA9 with an Enduring Power of Attorney to cover their finances.
Official Authoritative Source: Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre (the legally recognized non-profit registry and resource center recommended by the BC government).
Official Resource Page: Nidus Representation Agreement Forms & Information
What is the fundamental difference between an RA7 and an RA9 Representation Agreement in British Columbia regarding mental capacity?
The primary difference lies in the mental and cognitive capability of the adult at the time of making the document. An RA7 (Standard Representation Agreement under Section 7) is specifically designed for adults whose mental/cognitive capability is already in question or declining (e.g., individuals with advanced dementia, developmental disabilities, or severe brain injuries). It can still be legally made as long as the adult can express basic preferences and show trust in their chosen representative. In contrast, an RA9 (Enhanced Representation Agreement under Section 9) is strictly for adults who currently possess full mental and cognitive capacity and wish to plan ahead for the future in case they become incapacitated later in life.
How do the legal powers and limitations differ between an RA7 and an RA9? Can they cover both healthcare and financial matters?
Their scopes of authority are distinctly separate: An RA7 grants standard, supportive powers to assist with routine health care, personal care, and day-to-day routine financial/legal matters (such as paying bills or receiving income), but the representative cannot make major medical or end-of-life decisions (e.g., refusing life-sustaining treatment). Conversely, an RA9 grants broad and sweeping authority over all health care and personal care decisions, explicitly including major medical decisions and end-of-life care, but it does not cover any financial or legal matters. Competent adults in BC typically pair an RA9 with an Enduring Power of Attorney to ensure their finances are fully managed.