this post was submitted on 12 Dec 2024
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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.

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[–] [email protected] 106 points 1 week ago (5 children)

I'm surprised it's that many, but it's people who are allowed to die with dignity, and released from a life of pain.
I hate we don't have that right here in Denmark.

[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 week ago

Not that surprising given how big our aging boomer demographic is. This was my father two years ago who had fought a year long battle with cancer before deciding to go with MAID. He was already hospitalized in palliative care and it may have only saved him a day or two more of suffering. In fact after how rough his final night was, I wish he had been able to let go a day earlier.

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[–] [email protected] 42 points 1 week ago

At least in Canada people can choose euthanasia because they are in pain rather than because they're bankrupting their family

[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I would be curious how this affects the suicide statistics.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That is the neat part, it does not!

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/suicide-canada-key-statistics-infographic.html

so 4500 "suicides" vs the articles above 15,300 people. I don't think 15,300 is a subset of 4500.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

It’s ridiculous that there is a prerequisite of terminal illness

[–] [email protected] 28 points 1 week ago (14 children)

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?

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 week ago

It makes me worried about vulnerable people getting bullied into it somehow.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 week ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

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).

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

We haven't had the death penalty for decades. We stopped using it in '63 and officially abolished in '76 for civilians and '99 for things like treason.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Yes - US perspective. Whacky world view, IMO.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 week ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

There were issues early on and people who shouldn't have been offered the option, got offered the option.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I mean, anyone who wants the option should have the option. The requirement should be to make an appointment.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago

No argument against that.

The problem was (as I understand it) the doctor didn't read the room and it was received poorly.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago

Quebec has 9 million divided by Canada's 41 = 22% by population.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

Lets keep context here. The largest generation in history is at the end of their lifespan in many cases. The stats are as inflated as that generational bubble.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (3 children)

If allowing euthanasia is a recent change I assume there will be a large bump initially as the backlog of patients that have accumulated gets treatment. I would expect it to dwindle out over time

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