New data from the BC Coroners Service is highlighting the struggles many on the street, or in temporary housing, are facing on a daily basis. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

fatalities

Deaths among central Island homeless spike: BC Coroners Service

Mar 7, 2025 | 11:17 AM

NANAIMO — Unhoused people on the mid-Island died at double the rate in 2023 compared to the year prior, according to alarming new data.

New data published by the BC Coroners Service on Friday, March 7 notes 55 deaths in 2023 involved people on central Vancouver Island experiencing homelessness, the second highest tally province-wide among health delivery service areas (Vancouver – 77).

Central Vancouver Island encompasses Nanaimo, Oceanside, Duncan, Port Alberni and Tofino/Ucluelet.

Twenty-seven people died the year prior regionally, and a combined 63 deaths were reported between 2016 and 2021.

“The data speaks to the tragic reality of the struggles many face in our communities throughout B.C.,” Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner, said in a statement. “During the period studied, between 2016 and 2023, the deaths of 1,940 people were reported to the BC Coroners Service, identified as experiencing homelessness.”

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

8h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

Data from the BC Coroners Service looked at deaths reported between 2016 and 2023. (BC Coroners Service)

“Experiencing homelessness” was defined for the purposes of the report as someone living unsheltered, someone who is staying at an emergency or other temporary shelter, or someone in short-term or transition housing for an unknown length of time.

Province-wide, just over half the deaths came in people aged 30 to 49 years old, and an overwhelming 79 per cent were men.

Nearly half of those fatalities came from people who lived completely unsheltered.

The BC Coroners Service found nine out of every 10 deaths in the province between 2016 and 2023 were classified as accidental, with 86 per cent due to accidental drug toxicity.

Deaths due to the toxic drug crisis hit record levels in 2023 with 116 people dying in the greater Nanaimo region alone, part of 210 deaths across central Vancouver Island.

Numbers have since dropped slightly, with 187 similar deaths reported in 2024 across central Vancouver Island, including 94 in the greater Nanaimo region.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook