Northeast British Columbia has experienced a sharp increase in premature deaths among unhoused individuals.
Across the province, 458 homeless people died in 2023, marking a dramatic rise over previous years that is primarily attributed to the province’s toxic drug crisis, according to a report published by the B.C. Coroners Service Friday.
While Northeast BC accounted for only a small percentage of the deaths, the numbers are still the highest they have been since 2016. The region saw an increase from three deaths in 2022 to eight deaths in 2023, more than doubling within a year.
“The data speaks to the tragic reality of the struggles many face in our communities throughout B.C.,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, the province’s chief coroner, in a report accompanying the findings.
The 2023 death toll among the unhoused was 23 per cent higher than the 373 deaths recorded in 2022 and nearly three times higher than the 155 deaths reported in 2020.
Between 2016 and 2023, approximately 1,940 homeless deaths were reported to BC coroners, although these numbers are considered preliminary.
In 2023, 91 percent of homeless deaths were classified as accidental, with 86 percent due to accidental drug toxicity. Additionally, winter accounted for the highest proportion of deaths at 28 percent, followed closely by spring at 27 percent.
Individuals aged 30 to 59 made up 75 percent of deaths in 2023, with the majority being males.