Annual report shows increase in Canada's assisted deaths

Health Canada released its Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada on November 28, 2025, showing there was an increase in deaths by 'medical assistance in dying' in the nation.

Key Takeaways:

• Deaths in Canada through Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) rose 6.9% from 2023 to 2024.

• MAiD deaths of individuals who were not considered terminal rose 17% in a year.

• Both loneliness and isolation, as well as emotional distress, were major reasons people applied for and received MAiD.

The Details:

The report shows that there were 16,499 MAiD deaths in Canada in 2024, an increase of 6.9% from the 15,427 MAiD deaths in 2023.

The highest number of deaths took place in Quebec (5,998), followed by Ontario (4,944), British Columbia (2,997), Alberta (1,117), Nova Scotia (445), Saskatchewan (341), New Brunswick (283), Manitoba (186), Newfoundland (108), Prince Edward Island (57), and the Yukon Territory (14).

However, Alex Schadenberg of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition noted that the federal numbers for Quebec and British Columbia are lower than the provinces themselves reported. Quebec reported 6,058 (60 additional) and British Columbia reported 3,000 (three additional).

What's especially disturbing is the large increase in MAiD deaths for individuals who were not considered terminal. These individuals are referred to as "track 2" patients, and they are more likely to be younger, female, impoverished, and living with a disability, said Schadenberg.

"The total number of 2024 Canadian euthanasia deaths increased by 6.9%, while the total number of Track 2 euthanasia deaths increased by 17% representing 4.4% of all euthanasia deaths," he explained.

"Track 2 refers to euthanasia deaths of people who do not have a terminal condition. To qualify for a Track 2 death, the person would need to have, among other qualifications, 'a grievous and irremediable medical condition' which is not defined in the law."

"The 2024 report shows a clear connection between disability and death by euthanasia. In 2024, 31.6% (4858) of the Track 1 euthanasia deaths was a person with a disability and 61.5% (437) of the Track 2 euthanasia deaths was a person with a disability," said Schadenberg. He thinks that euthanasia deaths based on disability are under-reported.

In addition to the increase in deaths, the report noted that loneliness and isolation as "nature of suffering" were more likely to be reported by track 2 patients. Nearly 22% of track 1 patients reported isolation and loneliness compared to 44.7% of track 2 patients. Other natures of suffering include "perceived burden on family, friends, or caregivers" (48.4% for track 1, 50.3% for track 2) and "emotional distress/anxiety/fear/existential suffering" (57.9% for track 1, 63.3% for track 2).

The Bottom Line:

MAiD deaths continue to rise in Canada, where the government has been accused of pressuring patients into assisted death because it is cheaper to pay for death than it is to pay for medical care. Disability rights groups have warned that people with disabilities in Canada are routinely pressured into MAiD, even during well-check visits.

The numbers will continue to rise as MAiD advocates in the country promote advanced directive requests — meaning a person can access MAiD without giving their immediate consent — as well as MAiD for mental health conditions.