THUNDER BAY — Ontario’s chief coroner says the rate of opioid toxicity deaths in the city last year was nearly five times higher than the provincial average.
In its recently released data, the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario said the Thunder Bay census area saw 80 deaths in 2024, up from 77 the previous year. The 2024 stats once again put the city at the highest per-capita rate in the province at 69.14 deaths per 100,000 people.
The next highest rate was seen in Sault Ste. Marie, where there were 48.36 deaths per 100,000 people. The provincial average was 14.3.
Thunder Bay police chief Darcy Fleury said law enforcement’s emphasis continues to be to “interrupt” the flow and proliferation of illegal opioids, like fentanyl.
“It's one of the reasons that we haven't changed our objectives — our main objectives — which is the enforcement,” Fleury told reporters at the May meeting of the Thunder Bay Police Service Board.
“We call it guns, gangs and drugs and really put an emphasis on tracking down some of that activity, trying to put a dent into the group that is up here carrying on with this activity and really focusing on ensuring that our people are safe.”
City police have made several high-profile busts in recent months. Fleury said, while the enforcement aspect is important, the community being aware and ensuring that those who are addicted receive help is also paramount.
“The amount of drugs that we're taking off the streets is, it's constant. So it's something that we have to focus on (and) we'll continue to focus on, and really put the emphasis on the community — that people, they see this activity, make sure that they let us know,” he said.
“Plus, also trying to find ways to get those people that are using these drugs find ways to get them some help that they need and hopefully take an approach that way that maybe gets them out of that lifestyle and will interfere with the business of that trade.”
At over three-and-a-half times the provincial average, the per capita opioid death rate was also highest in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (which covers over 230,000 square kilometres to the west, north and east of of the city) of any health unit region in the province. In the western part of the region, the Northwestern Health Unit had the fifth-highest rate at well over twice the provincial average.
Both of the region's health unit catchment areas saw their rates increase over last year. In contrast, the provincial rate fell from 17.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023.
Fleury said opioid overdoses will never be completely eradicated, but a community-wide approach can help.
“It's working with our partner agencies, working close together with some awareness pieces and prevention at a younger age,” he said. “We have to continue with our enforcement partners as well.”
“We're never going stop it, but at least put a dent in the activity and make it less harmful for our community.”
