Canada’s opioid deaths decline 26% but officials say ‘much more work to be done’ (opens original article in a new tab)

Canada's opioid deaths declined by 26% between October 2024 and September 2025, but officials emphasize that significant challenges remain with ongoing toxic drug alerts and higher death rates compared to pre-pandemic levels.

• Opioid-related deaths in Canada fell 26% between October 2024 and September 2025, with 5,724 deaths recorded.
• Over 78% of opioid deaths in 2025 occurred in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, with fentanyl and its analogues involved in 56% and 60% of cases respectively.
• Despite the decline, opioid deaths remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, and toxic drug alerts have been issued in multiple communities in 2026.