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By Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Canada had approximately 15,280 euthanasia deaths in 2023 and more than 60,000 (as of December 31, 2023) since legalization.
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition wonders why Canada’s province of Saskatchewan had a greater than 25% increase in euthanasia deaths in 2023.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority reported to the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition that there were 344 assisted deaths in 2023 up from 257 in 2022.
On July 8, 2024 we published an article estimating that there were approximately 15,280 euthanasia deaths in 2023, a 15.4% increase based on data from Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta and Nova Scotia.
Based on data published on July 8 there were approximately 15,280 Canadian assisted deaths in 2023. Here is how the numbers add up:
CBC Radio Canada published an article on March 9, 2024 stating that in 2023 there were 5,686 reported deaths representing 7.3% of all deaths and a 17% increase in Québec euthanasia deaths from 2022. This represents the highest euthanasia rate in the world. The Radio Canada report was based on the Quebec euthanasia deaths between January 1 – December 31, 2023.The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario released the December 2023 MAiD data indicating that there were 4641 reported euthanasia deaths in 2023 which was up by 18% from 3934 reported euthanasia deaths in 2022.The Alberta Health Services reports that there were 977 reported assisted deaths in 2023 which was up by more than 18% from 836 reported assisted deaths in 2022.
The Nova Scotia Medical Assistance in Dying data indicates that there were 342 reported assisted deaths in 2023 which was up by more than 25% from 272 in 2022.