The leading causes of death in Canada are cancer, heart disease, and unintentional injuries, or accidents. Cancer and heart disease account for the vast majority of deaths in Canada with a combined 44 percent of all deaths in 2023. That year, around 84,629
, while 57,890 died from diseases of the heart. Around, 20,597 people in Canada died from accidents that year, with drug overdose, particularly from opioids, responsible for a large share of these deaths. Other
include cerebrovascular diseases, chronic lower respiratory diseases, COVID-19, and diabetes. Between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, there were a total of around 344,590
The burden of cancer in Canada
As in many other countries, the
overall burden of cancer in Canada is high and is expected to increase as the population continues to grow and age. It is estimated that the lifetime probability of dying from some form of cancer in Canada is 24 percent for men and 21 percent for women. Cancer of the lung and bronchus causes the
highest number of cancer deaths for both men and women, however, colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer among men, while breast cancer accounts for the second highest number of cancer deaths among women. In 2023, Ontario was the
province with the highest number deaths due to cancer in Canada with around 32,200 deaths.
Deaths from opioid overdose
Canada, much like the United States, continues to struggle with an
opioid crisis, defined by high levels of addiction and overdose deaths. In 2023, there were around 8,606
deaths in Canada due to opioid overdose, with the majority of deaths accidental. At that time, men accounted for around 72 percent of opioid overdose deaths. The crisis has been complicated in recent years by the appearance of strong, illegally manufactured synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and carfentanil, which can cause overdose and respiratory depression in very small amounts. In 2023, over 80 percent of
opioid overdose deaths in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario involved fentanyl.
This text provides general information. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ assumes no
liability for the information given being complete or correct.
Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
