1 In 20 Deaths In Canada Linked To Medically Assisted Suicide In 2023

Medically assisted suicide accounted for nearly 1 in 20 deaths in Canada last year, according to the country’s fifth annual report on euthanasia. The data, released by Health Canada, revealed that approximately 15,300 individuals underwent assisted dying in 2023, representing 4.7% of the 320,000 total deaths in the country.

The majority of those who sought assisted suicide were over the age of 77, with 96% of cases involving patients whose deaths were deemed “reasonably foreseeable.” Most applications were connected to terminal illnesses like cancer, though some involved individuals with non-terminal conditions that significantly impacted their quality of life.

Canada’s laws on medically assisted death are among the broadest globally, drawing attention and criticism. Patients with serious medical conditions can request euthanasia, with eligibility confirmed by two independent healthcare professionals. Similar policies exist in countries such as Spain, New Zealand, and Austria.

The report noted a 16% increase in euthanasia cases compared to 2022. Quebec reported the highest rate of assisted suicides, making up 37% of all such deaths in Canada, despite the province accounting for only 22% of the population.

Concerns remain over the application of these laws. In Ontario, the Coroner’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Death Review Committee found that nearly half of non-terminal patients seeking assisted death came from the province’s poorest areas. Critics argue this highlights troubling socio-economic factors influencing these decisions.

Health Canada has defended the country’s assisted dying practices, stating that strict criteria are in place to ensure eligibility. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been a strong supporter of the legislation, framing it as an issue of individual autonomy. However, critics warn that expanding access to euthanasia for non-terminal patients could lead to abuses in the system.