Rising Euthanasia Rates in Canada: A Complex and Controversial Discourse

As Canada experiences a rise in euthanasia cases, questions of access and eligibility emerge, particularly concerning mental health patients and the ethnic composition of those seeking assisted dying.

Canada has reported a continued rise in medical assistance in dying (MAID) for the fifth consecutive year, with 15,300 individuals opting for assisted dying in 2023, reflecting 4.7% of the nation's total deaths. While this marks an increase of around 16% from the previous year, it represents a notable decline from the 31% average hike seen in earlier periods. The annual report by Health Canada, which for the first time includes ethnicity data, reveals that the majority of recipients were aged around 77, with cancer frequently cited as the underlying condition.

Intriguingly, demographic patterns show that 96% of those receiving assisted dying identified as white, a striking contrast to their representation in the Canadian population, suggesting underlying factors at play. East Asians made up only 1.8% of those who accessed euthanasia, despite constituting a larger portion of the demographic landscape in Canada.

Quebec remains a focal point, accounting for nearly 37% of euthanasia cases despite housing only 22% of the population. This has prompted investigations into the reasons for its outsized share. Meanwhile, the country plans to further widen access to MAID by possibly including individuals grappling with mental illnesses by 2027, although such initiatives face delays due to healthcare system concerns.

Critics of the system, including the Christian think tank Cardus, have voiced alarm at the rapid growth of Canada's euthanasia framework, cautioning that lessons from the UK’s recent legislative discussions reflect apprehensions about lack of safeguards. Reports of individuals being granted assisted dying under questionable circumstances, such as those with chronic mental health issues or a lack of housing, have further intensified the debate on ethical and moral grounds.

As the conversation unfolds, it echoes in the broader global context, with Canada being cited in discussions for and against assisted dying practices in various countries aiming to navigate similar legal landscapes.