Coroner’s report says Northern Health region had fewest B.C. homeless deaths in 2023

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —  A study from the B.C. Coroner’s service says the Northern Health region is ranked fifth – the fewest – in provincial statistics outlining homeless people’s deaths.

The health authority’s region experienced a total of 46 deaths in 2023, up 14 from the previous total of 32 in 2022. 

This is a 43 per cent increase year-on-year, but is still 40 people fewer than the fourth highest health authority in B.C, Vancouver Coastal, which saw 86 homeless people’s deaths. 

The Fraser Health authority region had the highest number of homeless people’s deaths across B.C. in 2023 at 117.

The northeast health service delivery area, which covers Fort St. John, experienced eight total deaths in 2023 – an increase from three in 2022, but still significantly lower than other regions. 

The statistics were tracked since 2016 and show a 23 per cent increase in fatalities overall since 2022.

The total number of deaths due to homelessness in British Columbia was at 458, an increase from 373 in 2022.

“The data speaks to the tragic reality of the struggles many face in our communities throughout B.C.,” said the province’s chief coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan.

Of the 458 deaths, 419 were considered accidental, with 394 of those attributed to “accidental unregulated drug toxicity.”

Just under half of the people who died, 46 per cent, met the criteria for being unhoused and unsheltered; just 35 per cent were sheltered, which means they were staying in a temporary dwelling; and 19 were of an unknown origin. 

Those statistics have “remained consistent” throughout the years, says the report.

The full release from the B.C. coroner’s office is available here.