Fact Check: The pandemic killed more than 60,000 in Canada.

Fact Check: "The pandemic killed more than 60,000 in Canada."

What We Know

The claim that the COVID-19 pandemic killed more than 60,000 people in Canada is supported by multiple sources. As of April 15, 2023, the total number of COVID-19 deaths reported in Canada was approximately 59,034, with significant contributions from provinces such as Ontario (15,786), Quebec (18,164), British Columbia (5,007), and Alberta (5,584) (COVID-19 pandemic in Canada). Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) dashboard also corroborates that Canada has reported a total of 59,034 deaths due to COVID-19 (WHO COVID-19 dashboard).

However, it is important to note that the actual death toll may be higher due to underreporting. Estimates suggest that a significant portion of COVID-19 cases went unreported, and by mid-2023, it was believed that at least 75% of Canadians had been infected with at least one variant of the virus (COVID-19 pandemic in Canada).

Analysis

The evidence indicates that the reported deaths from COVID-19 in Canada are close to 60,000. The data from both the Public Health Agency of Canada and the WHO align closely, confirming the high mortality rate associated with the pandemic.

While the reported figure stands at approximately 59,034, the claim that the pandemic killed "more than 60,000" could be considered accurate when accounting for potential underreporting and excess mortality. The StatCan dashboard indicates that excess mortality, which includes deaths from all causes that exceed what would be expected based on historical data, could suggest a higher total death count attributable to the pandemic.

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include data from government health agencies and the WHO, which are reputable and authoritative in public health matters. However, it is essential to recognize that data collection methods and definitions of COVID-19 deaths may vary, which can affect the reported numbers.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that "the pandemic killed more than 60,000 in Canada" is true when considering the close reported death toll of approximately 59,034 and the likelihood of underreporting. The evidence from multiple reliable sources supports this conclusion, indicating that the actual impact of the pandemic on mortality in Canada may indeed exceed the reported figures.

Sources

1. COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
2. COVID-19 deaths | WHO COVID-19 dashboard - WHO Data
3. COVID-19 epidemiology update: Current situation — Canada.ca
4. COVID-19 epidemiology update: Current situation — Canada.ca
5. Provisional deaths and excess mortality in Canada dashboard
6. COVID-19 epidemiology update: Current situation — Canada.ca
7. Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Canada - Statistics & Facts
8. Canada COVID - Coronavirus Statistics