What is the purpose of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992?

The Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 serves a vital role in Ontario law by providing a legal framework for making decisions on behalf of individuals who are unable to make those decisions themselves due to incapacity. This legislation allows for the appointment of a substitute decision-maker who can handle personal care matters, which includes healthcare decisions, for the individual who lacks the capacity to do so.

It is crucial because it ensures that there is a designated person—commonly referred to as a power of attorney for personal care—who can act in the best interest of the individual when they cannot express their wishes. The Act sets out the principles that the substitute decision-maker must follow, emphasizing the importance of respecting the individual’s rights and preferences as much as possible.

Other options, while relevant to estate law, do not accurately reflect the purpose of the Substitute Decisions Act. For instance, distributing a testator's estate equally among beneficiaries pertains more to wills and estate administration, while managing financial investments or protecting beneficiaries' rights relate to different aspects of estate law, such as estate administration or wills and estates litigation. Thus, option B clearly aligns with the specific function and intention of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992.