At least 20 medically assisted deaths already recorded in B.C. says chief coroner

There havebeen about two dozen medically assisted deaths in B.C. since Ottawa passed a federal law permitting theprocedure, says B.C.'s chief coroner.

Lisa Lapointemade the comments to CBC Radio's On the Island,while explaining a new B.C. regulation thatrequires that all medically assisted deaths be reported to the BC Coroners Service.

'My understanding is there have been between 20 and 30 in the province since June," Lapointesaid.

In a follow-up interview, Lapointe said she didn't have a more exact number, notingthat the statistics came from a few separate health agencies, including the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons, and health authorities.

Higher than expected deaths

Lapointe said she found the numbers higher 'than I would have initially expected," but noted that the law is new, "so there may have been a number of people who were waiting for this to become lawful."

The rate of medically assisted deaths in B.C. may very well decline over time, she said.

Lapointemade the comments while explaining a new B.C. regulation thatrequires that all medically assisted deaths be reported to the BC Coroners Service.

• More than 160 doctor-assisted death in Quebec since 2015

She said the new regulation is meant to ensure that medically assisted deaths are properly monitored,thatfederal guidelines are followed and that records and details of the deaths are maintained.

The coroners service is stepping in to monitor these deaths, but Lapointe noted that in the future Ottawa may establish its own reporting mechanism.

For now, Lapointe said the BC Coroners Service will keep a record of all assisted deaths in the province. This data will be available to the public.

Last month, medicallyassisted dying in specific circumstances was legalized by the federal government to comply with a 2015 ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada.

To hear the full interview with B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, click on the audio labelled:Monitoring medically assisted deaths: Coroner says at least 20 cases since legalization