Voluntary euthanasia in Canada resulted in more than 15,000 deaths last year, representing 4.7% of all deaths nationwide, according to a recent government report.
This figure highlights the significant impact of medically assisted dying (MAiD) in the country, which has seen its use steadily increase since its legalization in 2016.
According to the the BBC report, revealed that the average age of individuals who opted for euthanasia was slightly over 77. About 96% of cases involved patients whose deaths were considered “reasonably foreseeable” due to terminal illnesses such as cancer or other severe conditions.
However, in a smaller percentage of cases, patients chose euthanasia after enduring chronic illnesses that they felt severely impacted their quality of life. This trend highlights the program’s evolution, initially designed for the terminally ill, to encompass individuals with non-terminal conditions that significantly diminish their daily functioning and well-being.
The province of Quebec, home to approximately 22% of Canada’s population, accounted for 37% of all assisted deaths in 2023. This disparity may reflect varying regional attitudes, healthcare practices, or accessibility to the program across the country.
Canada’s euthanasia program was originally created for terminally ill individuals but has since broadened to include those who