Data from Health Canada shows that medically assisted suicide accounted for 4.7% of all Canadian deaths in 2023. Approximately 15,300 individuals chose euthanasia last year, marking a 16% increase compared to 2022.
The majority of those who opted for euthanasia were over the age of 77, with 96% of cases involving patients whose deaths were deemed “reasonably foreseeable.” Most of these cases stemmed from terminal illnesses such as cancer, though some included non-terminal patients with debilitating conditions that severely affected their quality of life.
Quebec reported the highest rate of euthanasia in Canada, making up 37% of the cases, despite only accounting for 22% of the country’s population. The concentration of cases in one province has raised questions about the implementation of the program and regional variations in accessibility.
Ontario’s Coroner’s MAID Death Review Committee highlighted that nearly half of non-terminal patients pursuing assisted suicide came from the province’s poorest communities. This finding has sparked concerns about whether financial pressures are influencing decisions to seek euthanasia.
Critics argue Canada’s expansive euthanasia laws, which are among the broadest globally, may risk being applied in ways that undermine safeguards meant to protect vulnerable individuals. While the law requires approval from two independent healthcare providers, some worry the increasing number of non-terminal cases reflects broader systemic issues.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has defended the program, stating it respects individual autonomy and choice. However, as the number of assisted deaths continues to grow, debates about the ethical and social implications of the program show no signs of subsiding.
