A recent report released by Health Canada shows that medically assisted deaths under the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) law jump 31% last year.
According to report, 13,241 people chose death by assisted suicide or euthanasia in 2022, accounting for 4.1% of all deaths. In total, 44,958 people have died since MAiD was first implemented in 2016. MAiD is not officially listed as a cause of death; if that is, an expertt said it would be the fifth leading cause of death in the country.
It’s official. MAID caused more than 4% of all deaths in Canada in 2022—a total of 13,241 deaths. This is a stunning thirteen-fold increase in just seven years.
If MAID were listed as an official cause of death, it would be effectively the 5th leading cause of death in Canada. https://t.co/35SnC1XilX pic.twitter.com/pLFLr4Go7B
— Alexander Raikin (@AlexanderRaikin) October 25, 2023
Cancer is the most commonly cited reason for assisted death, with 66% of deaths occurring in people suffering from the condition. Alarmingly, 3.5% of assisted deaths are people whose natural deaths are unreasonably predictable – that means they don’t have a disease that is sick. Additionally, nearly 20% of those who died did not initially receive palliative care, a type of specialized medical care focused on patient comfort and often seen as a counter to the idea of medically assisted death.
Quebec led all provinces with the largest percentage increase, up 46% from 2021. Almost 6.6% of all deaths in Quebec are due to MAiD; British Columbia followed closely behind with 5.5% of its population dying of MAiD deaths.
Despite the huge increase, Federal Health Minister Mark Holland confirmed the government would continue to support those who choose this type of death.
“Medical assistance in dying is a complex and deeply personal issue,” Holland said. “The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that our laws reflect the needs of Canadians, protect the vulnerable and support their autonomy and freedom of choice.”
Cardus, a Canadian think tank, expressed concern at the significant increase in numbers while stressing that the country should be focusing on better palliative care, not making MAiD more accessible.
“The nearly 31% year-over-year growth in death by euthanasia and assisted suicide is alarming. The fact that more than 4% of all deaths in Canada by 2022 will come at the hands of a medical professional should give us all pause,” mentioned Rebecca Vachon, Health Program Director at Cardus.
“It’s scary to think how these numbers will increase if the federal government moves forward with its plan to expand eligibility for euthanasia and assisted suicide to the mentally ill.”
Vachon continued: “When Canadians face death—and increasingly choose it because of, according to MAiD’s eligibility criteria, unbearable suffering—it is unacceptable that euthanasia and assisted suicide continue to receive priority investments and increased expansion while palliative care continues to be unavailable for many Canadians.”
