Opioid- and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada : Key findings
The most recent available data on overdoses and deaths involving opioids and/or stimulants from January 2016 to March 2026 in Canada, where available.
- Last updated: 2026-09-22
- Download data in ZIP format
On this page
Context
The toxic drug crisis is one of the most serious public health crises Canada has ever faced, tragically impacting people who use substances, their families, and communities across the country. Canada has witnessed a substantial increase in toxic drug poisonings since national surveillance began in 2016 by the Public Health Agency of Canada. These harms became even more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, but more recently have begun to decline closer to pre-pandemic levels. However, accidental poisonings remain the leading cause of death for males aged 20-49 and females aged 20-39 in Canada in 2024 Footnote 1 .
Presented here are the most recent available data on opioid- and stimulant-related poisonings in Canada, where available. For more details on additional studies and other products related to the toxic drug crisis, refer to the Data, surveillance and research page .
Key updates
Reported in the last 12 months () in Canada
{Deaths}
Apparent opioid toxicity deaths
Footnote
2
Footnote
3
Footnote
4
Footnote
5
(%% higher than the previous 12 months)
{Deaths per day}
Deaths per day on average
{Hospitalizations}
Opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations
Footnote
9
(%% higher than the previous 12 months)
{Hospitalizations per day}
Hospitalizations per day on average
{ED visits}
Opioid-related poisoning Emergency Department (ED) visits
Footnote
10
Footnote
11
(%% higher than the previous 12 months)
{ED visits per day}
ED visits per day on average
{Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses}
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses to suspected opioid-related overdoses
Footnote
13
Footnote
14
(%% higher than the previous 12 months)
{EMS responses per day}
EMS responses per day on average
Report summary
Deaths
- There was a total of 57,509 apparent opioid toxicity deaths reported between January 2016 and March 2026 Footnote 4 .
- A total of 1,354 apparent opioid toxicity deaths have been reported so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), of which 96% were accidental Footnote 2 Footnote 3 Footnote 4 .
- So far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), most ( 78% ) apparent opioid toxicity deaths in Canada occurred in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario Footnote 3 .
- Most apparent opioid toxicity deaths occurred among males (70%) and among individuals aged 30 to 39 years (25%) and 40 to 49 years (26%) so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar) Footnote 3 .
- Of all apparent opioid toxicity deaths so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 36% involved fentanyl and 70% involved fentanyl analogues Footnote 3 .
- Of all apparent opioid toxicity deaths so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 77% involved opioids that were non-pharmaceutical Footnote 6 Footnote 7 .
- Of all apparent opioid toxicity deaths so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 62% also involved a stimulant Footnote 8 .
Hospitalizations
- There was a total of 54,358 opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations reported between January 2016 and March 2026 Footnote 9 .
- A total of 1,374 opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations have been reported so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), of which 74% were accidental.
- Most opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations occurred among males (61%) and among individuals aged 60 years or more (25%) so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar).
- Of all opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 28% involved fentanyl or its analogues .
- Of all opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 14% also involved a stimulant .
- Of all stimulant-related poisoning hospitalizations so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 40% also involved an opioid .
Emergency department visits
- There were 228,861 reported opioid-related poisoning emergency department visits reported between January 2016 and March 2026 Footnote 10 Footnote 11 .
- A total of 7,701 opioid-related poisoning emergency department visits have been reported so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), of which 83% were accidental Footnote 12 .
- Most opioid-related poisoning emergency department visits occurred among males (68%) and among individuals aged 30 to 39 years (35%) so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar) Footnote 10 .
- Of all opioid-related poisoning emergency department visits so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 47% involved fentanyl or its analogues Footnote 12 .
- Of all opioid-related poisoning emergency department visits so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 6% also involved a stimulant Footnote 12 .
- Of all stimulant-related poisoning emergency department visits so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar), 30% also involved an opioid Footnote 12 .
Emergency medical services
- There was a total of 296,733 EMS responses to suspected opioid-related overdoses reported between January 2017 and March 2026 Footnote 14 .
- A total of 12,535 EMS responses to suspected opioid-related overdoses have been reported so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar) Footnote 13 Footnote 14 .
- Most EMS responses to suspected opioid-related overdoses occurred among males (71%) and among individuals aged 30 to 39 years (36%) so far in 2026 (Jan to Mar) Footnote 13 .
Footnotes
- Footnote 1
-
Based on data from Statistics Canada Table 13-10-0394-01 (Leading causes of death) and Table 13-10-0156-01 (Chapter XX: External causes of morbidity and mortality). Accidental poisoning deaths include all deaths from causes X40–X49.
- Footnote 2
-
Due to the time required to complete death investigations, data on apparent opioid and stimulant toxicity deaths for the four most recent quarters are considered preliminary and subject to change. Numbers and trends should be interpreted with caution.
- Footnote 3
-
Based on data available from 12 provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and Northwest Territories.
- Footnote 4
-
The national overall count includes deaths from British Columbia related to all unregulated drugs (2025 onwards) and Quebec related to drug or opioid-related intoxication (2025 onwards).
- Footnote 5
-
Based on data available from 10 provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and Northwest Territories.
- Footnote 6
-
Based on data available from nine provinces or territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Northwest Territories..
- Footnote 7
-
Opioids with a pharmaceutical origin refer to opioids that were manufactured by a pharmaceutical company and approved for medical purposes in humans. Pharmaceutical origin does not indicate how the opioids were obtained (e.g., through personal prescription or by other means).
- Footnote 8
-
Based on data available from 11 provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and Northwest Territories.
- Footnote 9
-
Data on hospitalizations from Quebec are not included in the dataset used for analysis. As a result, Quebec is excluded.
- Footnote 10
-
Based on data available from six provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
- Footnote 11
-
Nova Scotia data from April to December 2025 were not available at the time of this update.
- Footnote 12
-
Based on data available from five provinces and territories, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
- Footnote 13
-
Based on data available from nine provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.
- Footnote 14
-
Based on data available from 10 provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.
This update is based on data submitted to or extracted by the Public Health Agency of Canada on or before . New or revised data reported after this date will be reflected in future updates. Differences may exist in case identification and reporting, type of data reported and time period of available data. Comparisons over time and between provinces and territories should be interpreted with caution.
Acknowledgments
We recognize that the data in this report may represent stories of pain, grief, and trauma. This report cannot adequately reflect the burden borne by Canadians. We acknowledge all those impacted by substance use, and those who work to save lives and reduce substance-related harms on individuals and communities.
This update would not be possible without the collaboration and dedication of provincial and territorial (PT) offices of Chief Coroners and Chief Medical Examiners as well as PT public health and health partners and Emergency Medical Services data providers. We would also like to acknowledge the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) for collecting and providing the data used for reporting opioid- and stimulant-related poisoning hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
Suggested Citation
Substance-related Overdose and Mortality Surveillance Task Group on behalf of the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health. Opioid- and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada . Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada; September 2026.
Learn more about opioids and stimulants in Canada
You might also be interested in
Modelling apparent opioid toxicity deaths
Apparent opioid toxicity deaths in Canada during the overdose crisis. Published by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with projections to 2027.
Age and Sex Distribution of Opioid- and Stimulant-Related Harms in Canada
Comparison of the age and sex distribution of opioid- and stimulant-related harms by harm type in Canada, 2025.
- Date modified: