A Power of Attorney is a legal document naming a specific person to act on your behalf (sometimes called a substitute decision maker) in case you become incapable of making your own decisions. There are three kinds of Power of Attorney: personal care (health care and housing); continuing property (financial affairs); non-continuing property (short-term management of financial affairs).

Public Guardianship programs are operated by the province which is responsible for investigating the need to appoint a guardian for people who are mentally incapable. The government may serve as a guardian in cases where no one else is available or willing.