Opioid-related deaths in Canada have declined by 26 percent between October 2024 and September 2025 compared to the previous 12-month period, according to new federal data. A total of 5,724 opioid-related deaths were recorded during that timeframe, averaging 16 deaths per day.
2025 Statistics
Across all of 2025, officials reported 5,630 apparent opioid toxicity deaths, 96 percent of which were deemed accidental. More than three-quarters of those deaths (78 percent) occurred in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. British Columbia recorded the highest number of opioid deaths at 1,841, followed by Ontario (1,398) and Alberta (1,145).
Demographics
Most opioid toxicity deaths occurred among men, accounting for 73 percent of fatalities. People aged 30 to 39 represented 26 percent of deaths, while those aged 40 to 49 accounted for 25 percent. Of all apparent opioid toxicity deaths in 2025, 56 percent involved fentanyl and 60 percent involved fentanyl analogues.
Reasons for Decline
In a news release, Health Canada stated the decline was driven by several factors, including naloxone distribution and changes in the drug supply. Canada’s fentanyl czar, Kevin Brosseau, said: “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.”
Comparison to Previous Years
The 2025 figure is down 30 percent from the peak of 8,040 deaths in 2023. However, despite the improvement, opioid deaths in Canada remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, Canada recorded 3,598 opioid deaths — 36 percent fewer than in 2025 and 55 percent fewer than in 2023.
Ongoing Toxic Drug Alerts
Meanwhile, toxic drug alerts have been issued in communities across 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 prompted an alert from the Windsor-Essex health unit and an urgent meeting of community partners. 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.
World Cup Warnings
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 stated: “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.”
