Approximately 15,300 Canadian euthanasia deaths in 2023.

Canada had approximately 15,280 euthanasia deaths in 2023 and more than 60,000 (as of December 31, 2023) since legalization. 

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

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:

The BC Medical Assistance in Dying 2023 report stated that there were 2767 reported assisted deaths up 10% from 2515 in 2022.

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.

An article published by Global News, which may only be preliminary data, indicated that there were 236 reported Manitoba assisted deaths in 2023 which was up by 6% from 223 in 2022.

According to the data from Ontario, Québec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, there were 14,757 assisted deaths in 2023 (in those Provinces) which was up by 15.7% from 12,747 assisted deaths in 2022 (in those Provinces). 

Since the total number of Canadian assisted deaths in 2022 was 13,241, we estimate that there were approximately 15,280 Canadian assisted deaths in 2023.

Canada had approximately 15,280 assisted deaths in 2023, a 15.4% increase.

There were approximately 15,280 reported Canadian assisted deaths in 2023 up by more than 15% from 2022.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, 

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

As I wait for the federal government to release Canada's 2023 euthanasia data, last week British Columbia released it's 2023 provincial euthanasia data.

According to the BC Medical Assistance in Dying 2023 report there were 2767 reported assisted deaths up by 10% from 2515 in 2022.

It is concerning that "other conditions" represented 32.9% of the BC assisted deaths in 2023. Other conditions were reported under these catagories:

Autoimmune Condition 2.4%, Chronic Pain 24.8%, Diabetes 9.8%, Frailty 60.5%, Other Comorbidities* 52.1%

Canada's MAiD law does not require that a person be terminally ill. Diabetes, frailty chronic pain and autoimmune conditions are usually chronic and not terminal conditions. 

 

The report doesn't indicate the conditions that comprise "Other Comorbidities" yet the report indicates that Mental Disorders, as a comorbidity, is within that category.

Euthanasia for mental disorders alone is not permitted in Canada but if a person has a mental disorder and another comorbidity (condition) then the person can qualify to be killed.

The report excludes any important information, such as an analysis of questionable deaths or a further examination of why a person actually asked to be killed, rather it only includes their condition.

Canada's euthanasia statistics:

On February 6, 2024 I predicted that there were approximately 16,000 Canadian euthanasia deaths in 2023. At that time I had less data.

 

Based on the data from Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta and Nova Scotia, I now predict that there were approximately 15,280 Canadian euthanasia deaths in 2023. Here is how I came to that predication:

CBC Radio Canada published an article on March 9, 2024 stating that there was a 17% increase in Québec euthanasia deaths with 5,686 reported deaths representing 7.3% of all deaths, which is the highest rate in the world in 2023. 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.

An article published by Global news, which may only be preliminary data, indicated that there were 236 reported Manitoba assisted deaths in 2023 which was up by 6% from 223 in 2022.

The BC Medical Assistance in Dying 2023 report stated that there were 2767 reported assisted deaths up 10% from 2515 in 2022.

According to the data from Ontario, Québec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and British Columbia, there were 14,413 assisted deaths in 2023 (in those Provinces) whihc is up by 15.4% from 12,490 assisted deaths in 2022 (in those Provinces). Since the total number of Canadian assisted deaths in 2022 was 13,241, I can predict that there were approximately 15,280 Canadian assisted deaths in 2023.

United Church of Canada approves euthanasia prayer.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

*Sign our petition opposing the United Church of Canada's pro-euthanasia prayer (Link).

On March 9, 2022, Churchill Park United Church in Winnipeg Manitoba hosted the euthanasia death of Betty Sanguin (86).

As euthanasia becomes widely prevalent in Canada and available to an expanding list of people living with physical or mental illness, the United Church of Canada approved a prayer written by cleric David Sparks and Sheila Noyes, former co-president of the euthanasia lobby group, Dying with Dignity Canada.

Prayer in the Midst of Fear

I am afraid. I feel fear penetrating my mind and my heart. I feel fear in my gut.

I am afraid to die. I do not know what lies beyond the barrier of death. I am afraid to release myself to the great unknown.

I am heartbroken and afraid to leave my family. I am still needed!

I have let go of hope for healing, and I hold on to hope for the next life.

I am afraid that my family and loved ones, children and grandchildren will be troubled when I tell them I plan to die using medical aid in dying (MAID).

(Prayerfully speak of other fears)

But, in the midst of my fear, I have hope that my family and loved ones, children and grandchildren will understand the choice to end my suffering.

I hope they will be proud of my decision and will understand that MAID is consistent with the love and compassion of Jesus. I have such peace in knowing this is my choice. My family loves me but they cannot feel my suffering, they cannot comprehend my helplessness.

I have hope and assurances that my death will be gentle. I am grateful that I can make this choice, for I am terrified of dying in pain and being helpless.

This choice to determine when I have had enough gives me peace even in the midst of the fear.

I feel that fear throws up a barrier between you and me, Loving God, a barrier so hard to penetrate, and I want that barrier down.

Come to me, Compassionate God, come to me as fear weighs me down and gets in the way of the joy and peace I want to feel and share around. Come to me and embrace me with your Eternal Love.

In the deepest part of me, I believe it will be your love that casts out fear for this waiting time and for my final journey through death.

I pray in the name of the suffering Jesus. Amen

*Sign our petition opposing the United Church of Canada's pro-euthanasia prayer (Link). 

People should always have compassion for people who are living with physical or mental illness, but the United Church is praying for and approving the act of killing.

Alberta euthanasia deaths increased by more than 40% in 2022 while Manitoba euthanasia deaths decreased.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Alex Schadenberg

According to Alberta Health Services, in 2022, the number of (MAiD) euthanasia deaths increased by more than 40% to 836 deaths up from 594 in 2021. There were 205 euthanasia deaths in 2017, the first full year of euthanasia in Canada.

A Global News report by Shane Gibson indicates that in 2022 there were 223 Manitoba (MAiD) euthanasia deaths which is down from 245 in 2021. Gibson reported that Shared Health Manitoba indicated that formal requests for euthanasia also went down from 387 in 2021 to 341 in 2022.

I recently reported that The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario released the December 2022 MAiD data which  indicates that there were 3934 reported euthanasia deaths which increased by 27% from 3102 in 2021.

On December 9, 2022 the seventh annual report from Québec’s Commission on end of life care was filed in Québec’s National Assembly. The report covered the 2021-2022 period (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022). The Commission reported 3,663 euthanasia deaths declared by doctors during the fiscal year which was up by 51% over the previous year. The number of euthanasia deaths reported by facilities was 3,629 and the report from the Collège des Médecins du Québec totalled 3,952 leaving a discrepancy of 289 deaths. 

The Québec Commission does not provide an explanation for the discrepancy of 289 deaths, but it appears that some doctors are not reporting euthanasia deaths. The same problem may exist in other jurisdictions but it is impossible to prove since Québec is the only province that collects data from more than one source. 

Yesterday I reported that the Federal government introduced a bill to delay the implementation of euthanasia for mental illness until March 17, 2024. I also reported that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith objects to expanding euthanasia to include mental illness. Québec has already objected to euthanasia for mental illness. 

Clearly, there are different approaches to euthanasia in each province. More provinces need to assert their constitutional authority and prevent euthanasia for mental illness and the indiscriminate use of euthanasia.

A woman asks for help. She doesn't want to die by euthanasia.

Dear Friends 

Last week, a supportive group received a heart rendering email from a 38 year-old woman in Winnipeg considering MAiD. She gave permission to share part of her email with you.

“I am seriously considering the right to MAID. I am writing as a last resort before doing so. I live with a vision impairment and mental health concerns. Even before the pandemic, I had no or little access to the system.

I tried to go through employment programs, who refused to put in the extra effort to get someone with my disabilities hired. For years, I was bounced back between physical disability employment agencies and mental health programs and on mental health meds that had hard side effects. The worst was nausea and exhaustion which made it extremely difficult to work.

Often I found myself on EI or EIA, only to be told I'm lazy and try harder with no or little or irrelevant help. The advice I was given from many therapists was to not ask friends and family for help but go to the system for resources. If I was in dire straits, maybe get my act together. I found very little compassion.

The only way was to leave the system altogether and find my way on my own. I did find work and connections. However, times are getting tough and people are offended by me asking them for help, considering me as a "burden."

As for friends, I understand people have work and families. It crushes me that there are many others, alone, contemplating suicide, with no supports, abandoned by family and friends and brushed off, told to "Be independent," "Figure it out," etc.

How can seniors and people with disabilities and vulnerable people connect? How can all the lonely people get together and support each other? Why is helping others so offensive?”

I am so ashamed of this situation. I don’t want to want attention, I just need prayers and really really desire safe, affordable, accessible housing. I want to have healthy relationships where there is mutuality.”

This woman was reaching out for help and personal support. She doesn't want to die by euthanasia but she feels like a burden. Her plea for help is not uncommon. It is our goal to help people, like this woman, to live.

Manitoba woman died by euthanasia (MAiD) based on inadequate home-care.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Sathya Dhara Kovac

Sathya Dhara Kovac, 44, who was living with ALS, died by euthanasia (MAiD) this week in Winnipeg because she lacked adequate home-care services.

A CBC news report by Bryce Howe on October 4, 2022 stated:

But according to Kovac's own obituary, statements she made to the Winnipeg Free Press and things she shared with friends, she had grown exhausted at her failed efforts to get more help with basic needs at home, and that is what drove her to access a medically assisted death.

Howe interviewed several of Kovac's friends. Shayla Brantnall told Howe that:

"It's hard because mentally she was there.... She accepted the changes in her body, but without enough support, how could anyone keep going?" said Brantnall, who supported Kovac three days a week over the past year and a half. 

"You're constantly stressed, you're constantly struggling, like, 'How am I going to get to the bathroom? How am I going to eat food?' That's not really a great quality of life either."

Another friend, Janine LeGal, told Howe that Kovacs didn't want to give up her home and live in an institution. LaGal stated:

"Her death was imminent in the sense that she had ALS, so she would have died from that at some point, but ... she could have been around for several more years, living a good life," said LeGal. 

"It's really painful for me to think about the fact that she is gone because our society doesn't focus on giving people what they need."

Howe reported that the province and the ALS society told her that she would be provided around the clock care at Riverview Health Centre but Kovac preferred to remain at her home and she knew others with ALS who died shortly after moving to Riverview Health Centre.

LaGal said that:

Kovac felt humiliated by the process of asking for, and failing to obtain, adequate home care services.

"She cared about neighbours and people and community and she wanted others to care too, and sometimes that didn't happen. So, she was very hurt by that."

Recently a Quebec man requested euthanasia (MAiD) because of changes to his home-care service (Link to article).

Links to more stories of the euthanasia experience in Canada:

• Veterans affairs worker advocates euthanasia for PTSD (Link).
• Alberta man requests euthanasia based on poverty (Link).
• Shopping for doctor death in Canada (Link).
• Gwen is seeking euthanasia because she can't access medical treatment (Link).
• Euthanasia for disability and poverty (Link).
• Euthanasia for Long Covid and poverty (Link).
• Canada's MAiD law is the most permissive in the world. (Link).

Winnipeg Church hosts (MAiD) euthanasia death

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

An article by Jesse T Jackson that was published by the publication, Church Leaders on April 18 explains that Churchill Park United Church in Winnipeg Manitoba hosted the euthanasia death of Betty Sanguin (86) on March 9, 2022.

Sanguin, who was living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) died by lethal injection in the sanctuary of the Church. According Jackson:

Sanguin visited with her family and friends during the ceremony hosted at the church. The lethal injection started at 1PM. An hour later, she was no longer present on earth. At 4PM, the funeral home arrived to take her body.

The MAiD death was referred to as a “simple Crossing Over Ceremony”

A CBC article in October 2021 reported that some funeral homes were permitting MAiD on their premises nonetheless, MAiD, which is done by lethal injection, is a form of homicide. In fact, Canada legalized MAiD (euthanasia) in 2016 by creating an exception in the criminal code to homicide. Therefore Churchill Park United Church permitted a homicide on its premises.

Manitoba: MAID euthanasia deaths are increasing quickly.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Last week I reported that there were approximately 5000 assisted deaths in Canada in 2019 and 13,000 since legalization.

On January 20th I reported that, in Ontario there were 1789 reported assisted deaths in 2019, 1499 in 2018, 841 in 2017 representing an almost 20% increase in 2019.

The increase in the second half of 2019 is striking. In Ontario there were 1015 assisted deaths in the second half of 2019 up from 774 in the first six months of 2019. Ontario will likely have more than 2000 assisted deaths in 2020.

On January 14th I reported that the Alberta data indicates that there were 377 reported assisted deaths in 2019 up from 307 in 2018, and 206 in 2017. The data indicates a 23% increase in Alberta assisted deaths in 2019.

A report by Marney Blunt for Global News states that the number of assisted deaths is increasing quickly in Manitoba. Blunt reported that the number of Manitobans dying by euthanasia skyrocketed in the past few years. The report stated:

When medically-assisted death first became legal in 2016, 42 people requested the service and 24 received it. That number rose in 2017, when 142 people requested MAiD and 63 people received it.

Those numbers almost doubled in 2018, when 239 requested and 138 received. Last year, 313 people asked for a medically-assisted death, and 177 people received it.

The data indicates a 28% increase in Manitoba reported assisted deaths in 2019.

Sadly, I expect a further increase in assisted deaths now that a Quebec court struck down the "terminal illness" requirement in the law. The Quebec court decision was not appealed by the government causing an incremental extension of the law to people who are not terminally ill and may be psychologically suffering.

After the election, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that a first priority for the government is to amend Canada's euthanasia law.

Do you have a personal euthanasia story? Sharing your story may help us prevent other euthanasia deaths. Contact us at: 1-877-439-3348 or info@epcc.ca.