Summary
Euthanasia accounted for 4.7% of deaths in Canada in 2023, with 15,300 people opting for assisted dying—a 16% increase, though slower than prior years.
Most recipients had terminal illnesses, primarily cancer, and 96% were white, sparking questions about disparities.
Quebec, at 37% of cases, remains Canada’s euthanasia hotspot.
Since legalizing assisted dying in 2016, Canada has expanded access, now covering chronic conditions and planning to include mental illnesses by 2027.
Critics, citing rapid growth and controversial cases, warn of insufficient safeguards, while proponents highlight strict eligibility criteria. Debate continues globally.
It’s ridiculous that there is a prerequisite of terminal illness
One step at the time.
Making euthanasia legal for people with terminal illness is already hard enough and I’m glad it is now possible in a lot of countries.
There’s a huge push from the right that this is unethical to offer it in the first place and that soon we are just going to let people euthanize themselves instead of “treating” them. I mean, i don’t want people to do this either, but who are we to force a choice onto someone?
Yep - “unethical” to let people die without suffering and passing on financial ruin to loved ones, but “ethical” to kill criminals for their misdeeds. That’s superb logic from the right.
I don’t disagree with you, but I think you’re thinking US not Canada. Death penalty is not Canadian. I don’t think? And health cares free (not to say there’s not other costs associated).
They love to control you. And if people had a super easy way to check out, they would lose a lot of their workforce.
I think that there needs to be better mental health services, and that doesn’t just mean throw pills their way and be done. We need to help these people, and if they find that nothing else will stop them from wanting to move on, then let them do it peacefully, instead of the more gruesome methods
There were issues early on and people who shouldn’t have been offered the option, got offered the option.
I mean, anyone who wants the option should have the option. The requirement should be to make an appointment.
