Quebec leads the world in assisted deaths, and leaders want more

A new report out of Quebec shows that the Canadian province continues to lead the world in the number of euthanasia and assisted suicide deaths via Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).

Key Takeaways:

• Latest statistics show that Quebec's euthanasia rate is the highest in the world, accounting for 7.9% of all deaths in the province.

• Half of those who choose MAiD report feeling like a burden to family, friends, or caregivers.

• There is no way to determine the level of palliative care being offered.

• Despite the high rates, Quebec continues to find ways to encourage more euthanasia deaths.

The Details:

The 2024–2025 Report of the Commission on End-of-Life Care, released on October 30, shows that Quebec leads the world in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), with 6,268 total deaths committed between April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. In total, 7.9 percent of all deaths were committed via euthanasia or assisted suicide. Overall, there was a nine percent increase in MAiD deaths over the previous year.

Further issues highlighted in the report show:

• Fifty percent (50%) of those who received MAiD said they suffered because they felt they were a burden to family, friends, or caregivers; 24% cited loneliness and isolation.

• There were significant regional disparities, with MAiD accounting for 13.4% of deaths in Lanaudière vs. 4.7% in Montreal.

• There was minimal time between a MAiD request and its administration. In 4% of cases, MAiD was committed the same day or next.

• Non-compliance in 0.3% of cases, with no reported disciplinary consequences in these 19 reported cases—one of which involved administration without the person’s consent at the time. 

The organization Living with Dignity also noted that it is impossible to determine the level of palliative and end-of-life care being offered to patients who need it.

The report noted:

“There are no management indicators or standardized tools for assessing the quality of palliative and end-of-life care services, how well they meet the needs of patients and families, or how efficiently the system operates. The Commission therefore cannot determine whether the needs of people who could benefit from such care are being met.”

It continued, "We cannot continue to navigate blindly on such a critical issue."

Zoom In:

Despite the alarming number of people opting for "assisted death," officials are seeking to expand these deaths even further.

This year, Quebec's Justice Minister hopes to amend the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms to include abortion and euthanasia/assisted suicide, and to force doctors to participate regardless of their conscience on either issue.

Last year, officials announced they were moving to allow euthanasia for people who were unable to give consent, but who had put an advance directive in place. Earlier this year, a Quebec medical group sent out a memorandum reminding healthcare workers that they are obligated to facilitate MAiD requests, despite any conscientious objections.

Even more troubling is the fact that the Quebec Commission on End-of-Life Care issued a warning in 2023 that some of the province's euthanasia deaths are not in compliance with the law. Complicating the matter is the fact that Quebec has a self-reporting system for euthanasia deaths, which could also allow doctors performing euthanasia to easily cover up any mistakes made.

The Bottom Line:

Legalized euthanasia in Quebec has spiraled out of control. As these statistics show, vulnerable people need access to palliative care as well as care to help them navigate feelings of loneliness and being a burden.

But the problem isn't localized to Quebec.

Canada has been clear that its MAiD program serves as a cost-savings measure in the country, where healthcare is nationalized. Doctors are under pressure to suggest suicide to patients seeking real healthcare solutions — not death.

Canada should serve as a vivid warning to other countries and states considering the legalization of assisted dying (like the UK, which has also predicted a cost savings by way of death). Though it is often introduced under the guise of personal autonomy, once it becomes an option, personal autonomy is pushed to the side in favor of coerced death.