Canada's opioid deaths decline 26% but officials say 'much more work to be done'

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Or sign-in if you have an account.Opioid-related deaths have been trending downward since the pandemic, but remain higher than in 2019. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia/FileOpioid deaths in Canada fell 26 per cent between October 2024 and September 2025 compared with the previous 12-month period, according to new data from the federal government.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorA total of 5,724 opioid-related deaths were recorded during that time frame, averaging 16 deaths per day.Across all of 2025, officials reported 5,630 apparent opioid toxicity deaths, 96 per cent of which were deemed accidental. More than three-quarters of those deaths (78 per cent) occurred in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.B.C. recorded the highest number of opioid deaths at 1,841, followed by Ontario (1,398) and Alberta (1,145).Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againMost opioid toxicity deaths occurred among men (73 per cent). People aged 30 to 39 accounted for 26 per cent of deaths, while those aged 40 to 49 accounted for 25 per cent.Of all apparent opioid toxicity deaths in 2025, 56 per cent involved fentanyl and 60 per cent involved fentanyl analogues (synthetic opioids that mimic fentanyl).In a news release Monday, Health Canada said the decline was driven by several factors, including naloxone distribution and changes in the drug supply.Canada’s fentanyl czar, Kevin Brosseau, said in a statement: “While it is encouraging to see the national rates of drug toxicity deaths in decline, we know there is much more work to be done. We are deploying all the tools at the federal government’s disposal and working collaboratively with other levels of government, law enforcement and communities to continue making progress and staying ahead of criminal organizations who profit off harming Canadians.”The 2025 figure is down 30 per cent from the peak of 8,040 deaths in 2023 but, despite the improvement, opioid deaths in Canada remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.In 2019, Canada recorded 3,598 opioid deaths — 36 per cent fewer than in 2025 and 55 per cent fewer than in 2023.Meanwhile, toxic drug alerts have been issued in communities all over the country in recent months.Toronto Paramedic Services received 485 non-fatal overdose calls in April 2026, the highest monthly total since December 2021.Elsewhere, an “increasingly toxic and unpredictable” drug supply recently prompted an alert from the Windsor-Essex health unit and an urgent meeting of dozens of community partners, while Saskatchewan’s health ministry issued an alert for Regina following 140 overdose-related calls in the first three weeks of April.In January, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control issued a province-wide drug alert over an increase in non-fatal poisonings.The latest government figures come after health officials in Vancouver and Toronto warned FIFA World Cup visitors about the risks posed by Canada’s toxic drug supply.Organizers of the seven games in Vancouver released a “know before you go” document, which said: “British Columbia is experiencing a toxic drug public health emergency involving fentanyl and other toxic contaminants. The unregulated drug supply in Vancouver is unpredictable and may be more dangerous than what visitors are used to in other countries or regions.”Toronto Public Health spokesperson Dane Griffiths said in a statement that Toronto’s unregulated drug supply is “extremely toxic and unpredictable and could be different from where tourists are visiting from,” according to reports.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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