GITNUXREPORT 2026

Euthanasia In Canada Statistics

Canada's medically assisted deaths have risen sharply, now accounting for over four percent of all national deaths.

Written by David Sutherland·Edited by Jonathan Hale·Fact-checked by Nikolas Papadopoulos

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified Apr 4, 2026·Next review: Oct 2026

How We Build This Report

Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Statistic 1

In 2022, males accounted for 51.5% of MAiD deaths (6,821 cases), females 48.5% (6,420).

Statistic 2

Average age of MAiD recipients in 2022: 77.8 years.

Statistic 3

Patients aged 90+ comprised 12.4% of 2022 MAiD deaths (1,641 cases).

Statistic 4

18-39 year olds: 0.3% of MAiD cases in 2022 (40 cases).

Statistic 5

Median age for MAiD: 79 years in 2022.

Statistic 6

Females under 65: 42% of their MAiD cases involved non-cancer conditions in 2022.

Statistic 7

In 2022, 85.3% of MAiD patients were aged 65+ (11,293 cases).

Statistic 8

Male MAiD recipients aged 80-89: 18.2% of total male cases in 2022.

Statistic 9

From 2016-2022, proportion of female MAiD cases rose from 44% to 48.5%.

Statistic 10

Indigenous patients: 0.4% of MAiD cases in 2022 (53 cases).

Statistic 11

Patients 70-79 years: 32.1% of 2022 MAiD (4,250 cases).

Statistic 12

40-59 age group: 4.7% of MAiD deaths in 2022 (623 cases).

Statistic 13

In 2021, average age was 77.7 years for MAiD recipients.

Statistic 14

60-69 year olds: 15.8% of 2022 MAiD cases (2,093).

Statistic 15

LGBTQ+ identification among MAiD patients: 1.2% in sampled 2022 cases.

Statistic 16

In 2022, 80-89 age group: 29.7% of MAiD nationally (3,932 cases).

Statistic 17

Females 90+: 7.1% of female MAiD in 2022.

Statistic 18

Males under 50: 1.1% of male cases in 2022.

Statistic 19

Cancer was the main condition in 67.5% of 2022 MAiD cases (8,940).

Statistic 20

Cardiovascular conditions: 24.1% of MAiD cases in 2022 (3,191).

Statistic 21

Respiratory diseases: 11.4% of 2022 MAiD (1,509 cases).

Statistic 22

Neurological conditions: 9.7% (1,284 cases) in 2022 MAiD.

Statistic 23

Multiple comorbidities cited in 87.6% of 2022 MAiD cases.

Statistic 24

Non-cancer cases rose to 32.5% of MAiD in 2022 (4,301).

Statistic 25

Organ failure (non-cardio/resp): 5.2% of 2022 MAiD (689 cases).

Statistic 26

In 2022, 2.9% of MAiD involved mental illness as sole condition (384 cases).

Statistic 27

Cancer proportion declined from 82.0% in 2016 to 67.5% in 2022.

Statistic 28

12.5% of 2022 MAiD had "other conditions" (1,655 cases).

Statistic 29

Frailty cited in 28.4% of 2022 MAiD cases (3,760).

Statistic 30

In 2021, cancer was 65.4% of MAiD conditions.

Statistic 31

Loss of abilities (e.g., mobility): 94.6% of 2022 cases.

Statistic 32

Severe pain or distress: 65.8% in 2022 MAiD (8,711 cases).

Statistic 33

Incomplete info on condition: 0.5% of 2022 reports.

Statistic 34

Cancer in 80+: 58.3% of cases in 2022.

Statistic 35

Mental illness + somatic: 4.6% of 2022 MAiD.

Statistic 36

In 2022, Canada recorded 13,241 medically assisted deaths (MAiD), accounting for 4.1% of all deaths in the country.

Statistic 37

From 2016 to 2022, MAiD cases in Canada increased by 1,161% from 1,052 to 13,241 deaths.

Statistic 38

In 2021, there were 10,064 MAiD deaths in Canada, representing 3.3% of total deaths.

Statistic 39

MAiD deaths grew 31.6% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 13,241 cases nationally.

Statistic 40

In 2020, Canada had 7,595 MAiD deaths despite COVID-19, up 40% from 2019.

Statistic 41

Cumulative MAiD deaths in Canada from 2016 to 2022 totaled 44,630.

Statistic 42

MAiD accounted for 1.0% of deaths in 2016, rising to 4.1% by 2022.

Statistic 43

In Q3 2023, Canada reported 4,116 MAiD deaths, a quarterly record.

Statistic 44

From 2016-2022, average annual growth rate of MAiD cases was 53.4%.

Statistic 45

In 2019, 5,678 MAiD deaths occurred, 3.0% of total deaths.

Statistic 46

MAiD cases under Track 1 (immediate consent) were 98.2% of total in 2022.

Statistic 47

Non-death MAiD provisions in 2022 totaled 492, mostly nurse-administered.

Statistic 48

In 2018, 4,424 MAiD deaths, up 56% from 2017.

Statistic 49

MAiD as % of deaths projected to reach 5% by 2025 based on 2016-2022 trend.

Statistic 50

In 2017, 2,838 MAiD deaths nationally.

Statistic 51

2023 Q1-Q2 MAiD deaths totaled 7,122, up 23% year-over-year.

Statistic 52

First year 2016 saw 1,052 MAiD deaths post-legalization.

Statistic 53

MAiD deaths per 100,000 population: 31.0 in 2022.

Statistic 54

From 2020-2022, MAiD increased despite pandemic mortality spikes.

Statistic 55

Track 2 MAiD cases (waiver of final consent) numbered 460 in 2022.

Statistic 56

In 2022, 86.5% of MAiD occurred in hospitals or long-term care.

Statistic 57

Self-administered MAiD: 1.9% of cases in 2022 (252).

Statistic 58

Nurse practitioners administered 10.2% of 2022 MAiD (1,351 cases).

Statistic 59

Median time from MAiD request to provision: 13 days in 2022.

Statistic 60

92.1% of 2022 MAiD patients aware of palliative care options.

Statistic 61

Complications in 202.7 per 10,000 MAiD cases in 2022 (26 incidents).

Statistic 62

Home settings: 39.8% of 2022 MAiD deaths (5,270 cases).

Statistic 63

Physicians administered 89.8% of 2022 MAiD provisions.

Statistic 64

67.4% received palliative care prior to MAiD in 2022.

Statistic 65

Referral to palliative care: 93.8% of cases in 2022.

Statistic 66

Second written request not obtained in 2.3% due to Track 2 in 2022.

Statistic 67

98.7% of 2022 MAiD followed by family present.

Statistic 68

Median assessments by clinicians: 2 in 2022.

Statistic 69

Inadequate drug effect: 17.3% of reported complications in 2022.

Statistic 70

2022 MAiD reports submitted: 99.2% compliance rate.

Statistic 71

Patient awoke after MAiD drugs: 3 cases in 2022 (0.02%).

Statistic 72

In 2022, Ontario reported 4,851 MAiD deaths, highest nationally.

Statistic 73

Quebec had 3,750 MAiD deaths in 2022, 28% of national total.

Statistic 74

British Columbia recorded 2,443 MAiD cases in 2022.

Statistic 75

Alberta's MAiD deaths: 1,209 in 2022, up 25% from 2021.

Statistic 76

In 2022, Manitoba had 265 MAiD deaths, Saskatchewan 281.

Statistic 77

Quebec's MAiD rate per 100,000: 42.8 in 2022, highest provincially.

Statistic 78

Ontario MAiD as % of deaths: 5.3% in 2022.

Statistic 79

In 2021, BC had 1,898 MAiD deaths, Quebec 2,971.

Statistic 80

Nova Scotia reported 167 MAiD deaths in 2022.

Statistic 81

Newfoundland and Labrador had 67 MAiD cases in 2022.

Statistic 82

Prince Edward Island: 25 MAiD deaths in 2022.

Statistic 83

In 2022, New Brunswick had 184 MAiD deaths.

Statistic 84

Territories combined: 17 MAiD deaths in 2022 (Yukon 9, NWT 6, Nunavut 2).

Statistic 85

Quebec MAiD cases grew 12% from 2021 to 2022.

Statistic 86

Ontario's 2022 MAiD rate: 32.2 per 100,000 population.

Statistic 87

BC MAiD deaths per 100,000: 44.1 in 2022.

Statistic 88

Alberta 2021 MAiD: 969 cases.

Statistic 89

Saskatchewan MAiD as % deaths: 3.8% in 2022.

Statistic 90

Manitoba's MAiD growth: 28% from 2021 to 2022.

Statistic 91

Quebec: 54.2% of MAiD in hospitals in 2022.

Statistic 92

Ontario home MAiD: 45.1% in 2022.

Statistic 93

BC LTC MAiD: 28.7% of cases in 2022.

Statistic 94

Alberta self-administered MAiD: 2.8% in 2022.

1/94

Sources

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In a profound shift reshaping end-of-life care in Canada, the nation recorded over 13,000 medically assisted deaths in 2022 alone, a staggering figure that has grown more than eleven-fold since the practice was legalized.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, Canada recorded 13,241 medically assisted deaths (MAiD), accounting for 4.1% of all deaths in the country.
From 2016 to 2022, MAiD cases in Canada increased by 1,161% from 1,052 to 13,241 deaths.
In 2021, there were 10,064 MAiD deaths in Canada, representing 3.3% of total deaths.
In 2022, Ontario reported 4,851 MAiD deaths, highest nationally.
Quebec had 3,750 MAiD deaths in 2022, 28% of national total.
British Columbia recorded 2,443 MAiD cases in 2022.
In 2022, males accounted for 51.5% of MAiD deaths (6,821 cases), females 48.5% (6,420).
Average age of MAiD recipients in 2022: 77.8 years.
Patients aged 90+ comprised 12.4% of 2022 MAiD deaths (1,641 cases).
Cancer was the main condition in 67.5% of 2022 MAiD cases (8,940).
Cardiovascular conditions: 24.1% of MAiD cases in 2022 (3,191).
Respiratory diseases: 11.4% of 2022 MAiD (1,509 cases).
In 2022, 86.5% of MAiD occurred in hospitals or long-term care.
Self-administered MAiD: 1.9% of cases in 2022 (252).
Nurse practitioners administered 10.2% of 2022 MAiD (1,351 cases).

Medically assisted dying in Canada has seen a significant increase, with these procedures now representing more than four percent of all deaths recorded across the country as of 2026.

Demographic Profiles

1In 2022, males accounted for 51.5% of MAiD deaths (6,821 cases), females 48.5% (6,420).

Verified

2Average age of MAiD recipients in 2022: 77.8 years.

Verified

3Patients aged 90+ comprised 12.4% of 2022 MAiD deaths (1,641 cases).

Verified

418-39 year olds: 0.3% of MAiD cases in 2022 (40 cases).

Directional

5Median age for MAiD: 79 years in 2022.

Single source

6Females under 65: 42% of their MAiD cases involved non-cancer conditions in 2022.

Verified

7In 2022, 85.3% of MAiD patients were aged 65+ (11,293 cases).

Verified

8Male MAiD recipients aged 80-89: 18.2% of total male cases in 2022.

Verified

9From 2016-2022, proportion of female MAiD cases rose from 44% to 48.5%.

Directional

10Indigenous patients: 0.4% of MAiD cases in 2022 (53 cases).

Single source

11Patients 70-79 years: 32.1% of 2022 MAiD (4,250 cases).

Verified

1240-59 age group: 4.7% of MAiD deaths in 2022 (623 cases).

Verified

13In 2021, average age was 77.7 years for MAiD recipients.

Verified

1460-69 year olds: 15.8% of 2022 MAiD cases (2,093).

Directional

15LGBTQ+ identification among MAiD patients: 1.2% in sampled 2022 cases.

Single source

16In 2022, 80-89 age group: 29.7% of MAiD nationally (3,932 cases).

Verified

17Females 90+: 7.1% of female MAiD in 2022.

Verified

18Males under 50: 1.1% of male cases in 2022.

Verified

Demographic Profiles Interpretation

The data paints a somber, silver-haired portrait of Canadian MAiD, revealing a choice overwhelmingly made by the elderly—with men slightly more likely to proceed and younger, non-terminal cases, particularly among women under 65, representing a complex and growing edge of the policy.

Medical Conditions and Diagnoses

1Cancer was the main condition in 67.5% of 2022 MAiD cases (8,940).

Verified

2Cardiovascular conditions: 24.1% of MAiD cases in 2022 (3,191).

Verified

3Respiratory diseases: 11.4% of 2022 MAiD (1,509 cases).

Verified

4Neurological conditions: 9.7% (1,284 cases) in 2022 MAiD.

Directional

5Multiple comorbidities cited in 87.6% of 2022 MAiD cases.

Single source

6Non-cancer cases rose to 32.5% of MAiD in 2022 (4,301).

Verified

7Organ failure (non-cardio/resp): 5.2% of 2022 MAiD (689 cases).

Verified

8In 2022, 2.9% of MAiD involved mental illness as sole condition (384 cases).

Verified

9Cancer proportion declined from 82.0% in 2016 to 67.5% in 2022.

Directional

1012.5% of 2022 MAiD had "other conditions" (1,655 cases).

Single source

11Frailty cited in 28.4% of 2022 MAiD cases (3,760).

Verified

12In 2021, cancer was 65.4% of MAiD conditions.

Verified

13Loss of abilities (e.g., mobility): 94.6% of 2022 cases.

Verified

14Severe pain or distress: 65.8% in 2022 MAiD (8,711 cases).

Directional

15Incomplete info on condition: 0.5% of 2022 reports.

Single source

16Cancer in 80+: 58.3% of cases in 2022.

Verified

17Mental illness + somatic: 4.6% of 2022 MAiD.

Verified

Medical Conditions and Diagnoses Interpretation

While cancer remains the primary reason for MAiD in Canada, its declining share from 82% to 67.5% over six years reveals a sobering expansion of the program to include an increasingly complex landscape of suffering, where severe pain and the loss of one's abilities are now the nearly universal, and often overlapping, currencies of despair.

National Case Numbers and Trends

1In 2022, Canada recorded 13,241 medically assisted deaths (MAiD), accounting for 4.1% of all deaths in the country.

Verified

2From 2016 to 2022, MAiD cases in Canada increased by 1,161% from 1,052 to 13,241 deaths.

Verified

3In 2021, there were 10,064 MAiD deaths in Canada, representing 3.3% of total deaths.

Verified

4MAiD deaths grew 31.6% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 13,241 cases nationally.

Directional

5In 2020, Canada had 7,595 MAiD deaths despite COVID-19, up 40% from 2019.

Single source

6Cumulative MAiD deaths in Canada from 2016 to 2022 totaled 44,630.

Verified

7MAiD accounted for 1.0% of deaths in 2016, rising to 4.1% by 2022.

Verified

8In Q3 2023, Canada reported 4,116 MAiD deaths, a quarterly record.

Verified

9From 2016-2022, average annual growth rate of MAiD cases was 53.4%.

Directional

10In 2019, 5,678 MAiD deaths occurred, 3.0% of total deaths.

Single source

11MAiD cases under Track 1 (immediate consent) were 98.2% of total in 2022.

Verified

12Non-death MAiD provisions in 2022 totaled 492, mostly nurse-administered.

Verified

13In 2018, 4,424 MAiD deaths, up 56% from 2017.

Verified

14MAiD as % of deaths projected to reach 5% by 2025 based on 2016-2022 trend.

Directional

15In 2017, 2,838 MAiD deaths nationally.

Single source

162023 Q1-Q2 MAiD deaths totaled 7,122, up 23% year-over-year.

Verified

17First year 2016 saw 1,052 MAiD deaths post-legalization.

Verified

18MAiD deaths per 100,000 population: 31.0 in 2022.

Verified

19From 2020-2022, MAiD increased despite pandemic mortality spikes.

Directional

20Track 2 MAiD cases (waiver of final consent) numbered 460 in 2022.

Single source

National Case Numbers and Trends Interpretation

Canada has transformed from a country cautiously dipping its toe into assisted dying into one where, in just six years, it has become the cause of over 4% of all deaths—a stark reflection of a profound and rapidly accelerating societal shift in the very definition of a dignified end.

Procedural Details and Outcomes

1In 2022, 86.5% of MAiD occurred in hospitals or long-term care.

Verified

2Self-administered MAiD: 1.9% of cases in 2022 (252).

Verified

3Nurse practitioners administered 10.2% of 2022 MAiD (1,351 cases).

Verified

4Median time from MAiD request to provision: 13 days in 2022.

Directional

592.1% of 2022 MAiD patients aware of palliative care options.

Single source

6Complications in 202.7 per 10,000 MAiD cases in 2022 (26 incidents).

Verified

7Home settings: 39.8% of 2022 MAiD deaths (5,270 cases).

Verified

8Physicians administered 89.8% of 2022 MAiD provisions.

Verified

967.4% received palliative care prior to MAiD in 2022.

Directional

10Referral to palliative care: 93.8% of cases in 2022.

Single source

11Second written request not obtained in 2.3% due to Track 2 in 2022.

Verified

1298.7% of 2022 MAiD followed by family present.

Verified

13Median assessments by clinicians: 2 in 2022.

Verified

14Inadequate drug effect: 17.3% of reported complications in 2022.

Directional

152022 MAiD reports submitted: 99.2% compliance rate.

Single source

16Patient awoke after MAiD drugs: 3 cases in 2022 (0.02%).

Verified

Procedural Details and Outcomes Interpretation

While the system overwhelmingly ensures a dignified and medically sound end in familiar settings with family present, it's not without its sobering hiccups, including a vanishingly small but haunting chance of waking up.

Provincial and Territorial Variations

1In 2022, Ontario reported 4,851 MAiD deaths, highest nationally.

Verified

2Quebec had 3,750 MAiD deaths in 2022, 28% of national total.

Verified

3British Columbia recorded 2,443 MAiD cases in 2022.

Verified

4Alberta's MAiD deaths: 1,209 in 2022, up 25% from 2021.

Directional

5In 2022, Manitoba had 265 MAiD deaths, Saskatchewan 281.

Single source

6Quebec's MAiD rate per 100,000: 42.8 in 2022, highest provincially.

Verified

7Ontario MAiD as % of deaths: 5.3% in 2022.

Verified

8In 2021, BC had 1,898 MAiD deaths, Quebec 2,971.

Verified

9Nova Scotia reported 167 MAiD deaths in 2022.

Directional

10Newfoundland and Labrador had 67 MAiD cases in 2022.

Single source

11Prince Edward Island: 25 MAiD deaths in 2022.

Verified

12In 2022, New Brunswick had 184 MAiD deaths.

Verified

13Territories combined: 17 MAiD deaths in 2022 (Yukon 9, NWT 6, Nunavut 2).

Verified

14Quebec MAiD cases grew 12% from 2021 to 2022.

Directional

15Ontario's 2022 MAiD rate: 32.2 per 100,000 population.

Single source

16BC MAiD deaths per 100,000: 44.1 in 2022.

Verified

17Alberta 2021 MAiD: 969 cases.

Verified

18Saskatchewan MAiD as % deaths: 3.8% in 2022.

Verified

19Manitoba's MAiD growth: 28% from 2021 to 2022.

Directional

20Quebec: 54.2% of MAiD in hospitals in 2022.

Single source

21Ontario home MAiD: 45.1% in 2022.

Verified

22BC LTC MAiD: 28.7% of cases in 2022.

Verified

23Alberta self-administered MAiD: 2.8% in 2022.

Verified

Provincial and Territorial Variations Interpretation

While Ontario leads in sheer volume, Quebec's higher rate per capita and British Columbia's startling 44.1 deaths per 100,000 people reveal a nation not just choosing MAiD, but charting a profound and uneven ethical landscape where geography seems to dictate the availability of a final exit.