The Duties and Powers of a Guardian of the Person

Introduction

The purpose of this fact sheet is to explain the important role of a guardian of the person (“guardian”). It explains what is involved in being a guardian, the powers of a guardian, what a guardian is allowed to do and how a guardian is supposed to meet his or her obligations to an incapable person.

The powers and duties of a guardian of the person are fully set out in the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 and the Health Care Consent Act, 1996.

This fact sheet is a summary only. It is not legal advice, and if you have questions about how to interpret this information, you should consult with a lawyer.