Canada reports 23% drop in opioid deaths in 2025

Canada’s federal health officials said opioid‑related deaths fell 23 % in 2025, to 5,608 deaths – about 15 people a day – down from the pandemic peak of 8,040 in 2023. The decline is linked to expanded naloxone distribution, improved surveillance of the illicit drug supply and border actions aimed at synthetic opioids. Dr. Joss Reimer, the chief public health officer, noted that “the progress we are observing reflects combined efforts on several fronts,” but warned the numbers remain “unacceptably high and well above pre‑2020 levels.”

The drop was uneven across the country. Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia accounted for 78 % of the deaths, with Ontario showing the biggest year‑over‑year decline (‑38.3 %). However, emergency medical call‑outs rose 9 % nationally, especially in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Most decedents were male (73 %) and 82 % involved non‑pharmaceutical opioids, often together with stimulants.

Health Minister Marjorie Michel said too many communities “are haunted by stories no one should have to tell,” and highlighted $145 million in federal funding for 180 local support organisations and new drug‑analysis centres in Vancouver and Toronto. Kevin Brosseau, Canada’s fentanyl czar, reiterated that Canada “isn’t a major source of fentanyl to the U.S.”