Federal officials expressed cautious optimism as data show toxic drug deaths decreased across Canada over the past year, but stressed that there is still much more work to do.
An annual report published on Monday said there were 5,608 opioid toxicity deaths in 2025, a 23 per cent drop from the previous year.
“Those declines are real progress, but far higher than a decade ago,” said Health Minister Marjorie Michel at a news conference in Ottawa.
“There is no silver bullet to solve this crisis. Dogmatism and one-size-fit all approach are not the right approaches,” she said.
The report also highlights a 31 per cent drop in stimulant toxicity deaths across Canada, with 3,338 deaths.
Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Joss Reimer said the national numbers are still well above pre-pandemic levels.
“We must not forget that behind every number, every statistic, is a person,” said Reimer.
Data included in the federal report show B.C. saw the highest number of opioid deaths in the country last year, with 1841. That was followed by Ontario with 1398, and Alberta with 1145.
B.C. recorded 1,114 stimulant-related deaths last year, fewer than Ontario and Alberta.
Data from the B.C. Coroner’s Service show drug deaths in B.C. have fallen each year since reaching a high of 2593 in 2023.
The latest report from the coroner’s service said there were 522 toxic drug deaths in B.C. between January and April this year including 47 in Northern Health, with 21 of them (or nearly half) in Prince George.
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