Ontario Euthanasia deaths increase by more than 25% in 2023

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The number of reported euthanasia deaths in Ontario has increased by more than 25% in the first 5 months of 2023 to 1866 which is up from 1488 for the same time period in 2022. Ontario is Canada's most populated province.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) regularly reports on the increasing number of euthanasia deaths. Last January, we were told that we needed to wait for the 2023 data based on a new reporting procedure.

Recently EPC received an updated report from the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario reporting that there were 395 reported euthanasia deaths in May 2023 and 1866 total in 2023.

On January 31, 2023 The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario reported the December 2022 euthanasia data indicating that there were 3934 reported euthanasia deaths in 2022 up by 27% from 2021. With another 25% increase, there will likely be 5000 Ontario euthanasia deaths in 2023.

Euthanasia deaths are increasing across Canada.

Data collected by EPC indicates that there were approximately 13,500 Canadian euthanasia deaths in 2022. 

Québec is the world's euthanasia hotspot. James Reinl, the social affairs correspondent for the Daily Mail, published an article on June 15 indicating that Québec has the highest euthanasia rate in the world. 

Reinl reported that there were 4810 (MAiD) reported Québec euthanasia deaths in 2022 which was up by 55% from 2021. Reinl further states that the number of MAiD deaths will only increase since Québec recently passed Bill 11 which expanded their euthanasia law. 

Euthanasia for mental illness is also scheduled to go into effect on March 17, 2024. Canada is also experiencing a scourge of euthanasia for poverty, homelessness and an inability to receive medical treatment. 

Recently Rose Finlay, a quadriplegic woman, was approved for death by euthanasia, but given a 90 day waiting period, because she is not terminally ill. Finlay could die by euthanasia in 90 days but was told that she had to wait 6 - 8 months to be approved for ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Payments).