Physician Assisted Suicide is now responsible for one in 20 deaths in Canada

A Growing Reality Sparking Global Conversation

Canada has reached a new and significant milestone in its approach to end-of-life care. According to recent reporting by the BBC, assisted dying—also known as physician assisted suicide (PAS)—now accounts for 5.1% of all deaths in the country. That’s roughly one in every 20 Canadians who end their lives through a legal, medically assisted process.

Since its legalization in 2016, PAS in Canada has expanded gradually, originally reserved for those with terminal illnesses and unbearable physical suffering. But even with safeguards in place, the rapid rise in numbers—over 44,000 assisted deaths since 2016—has prompted international attention and domestic debate. In 2023 alone, more than 13,200 people opted for PAS, representing a 15% increase from the previous year.

While supporters argue the system gives people autonomy and dignity at the end of life, critics express deep concern about whether enough is being done to protect vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or mental health conditions. The Canadian government has postponed extending PAS access to people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness until 2027, reflecting these ethical tensions.

This moment in Canada presents an opportunity for global reflection. As more nations contemplate how to handle assisted dying, Canada’s model raises fundamental questions: Who decides when a life is no longer worth living? How do we ensure compassionate care without pressuring people toward death?

These are not abstract questions—they are personal, moral, legal, and deeply human. Canada’s experience is helping to shape a conversation that will only grow louder in the years to come.

Read more: BBC article