The Office of the Public Guardian is responsible for administering the Personal Directives Act, RSA 2000, c P-6. Within that context, the role of the Public Guardian is considered with respect to acting as an agent and investigating complaints. In particular, this paper sets out how the Public Guardian determines if it will consent to act as agent for a private person in a personal directive, and how the Public Guardian makes decisions as agent for a private person. In addition, information on the Public Guardian’s investigation and resolution process for complaints made against agents in personal directives is provided.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Enduring Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives program in Edmonton on April 5, 2016 and in Calgary on April 12, 2016.