While deaths of children and youth comprise a small percentage of those investigated by the OCC, each of these deaths is challenging from emotional and investigative perspectives.  It is important to consider the findings published in the Annual Report within the broader context of childhood deaths in Canada. 

While the OCC defines the paediatric age group from live birth to the nineteenth birthday, adolescent data provided by Statistics Canada also includes the nineteenth year (i.e. up to the twentieth birthday).  For the purpose of the comparisons demonstrated in Charts 1 – 4, data from the OCC includes investigations of adolescent deaths up until the twentieth birthday as well. Over the previous five years, on average, the OCC has investigated 60 deaths of individuals in their nineteenth year per year.

Chart 1 illustrates the number of child and youth deaths per year and compares the number of cases investigated by the OCC with the provincial and national numbers. Between 2005 and 2018 the year to year totals have remained fairly consistent.

Chart 1: Comparison of child and youth deaths in Canada and Ontario with Ontario coroner’s cases 0-19 years of age (2005-2018)

Chart 1: Between 2005 and 2018 the year to year totals have remained fairly consistent.

Chart 2 provides the actual numbers of child and youth deaths per year and shows the percentage of paediatric deaths in Ontario as a proportion of the national total.  Between 2005 and 2018, the year to year totals have remained fairly consistent.

Chart 2
Year Paediatric population – Canada (total) Paediatric population – Ontario (total) Percent of Ontario paediatric population versus Canada Paediatric deaths - Canada (total) Paediatric deaths - Ontario (total) Percent of Ontario paediatric deaths versus Canada
2005 7,874,686 3,129,130 40% 3640 1335 37%
2006 7,865,435 3,127,664 40% 3513 1249 36%
2007 7,859,930 3,116,390 40% 3591 1297 36%
2008 7,869,257 3,112,369 40% 3517 1237 35%
2009 7,867,349 3,101,042 39% 3423 1247 36%
2010 7,850,628 3,087,884 39% 3424 1201 35%
2011 7,833,278 3,074,838 39% 3245 1122 35%
2012 7,828,135 3,062,498 39% 3247 1166 36%
2013 7,848,394 3,069,969 39% 3295 1157 35%
2014 7,843,048 3,051,984 39% 3135 1092 35%
2015 7,886,794 3,062,245 39% 3112 1086 35%
2016 7,949,667 3,079,434 39% 3120 1134 36%
2017 8,002,039 3,096,032 39% 3043 1110 36%
2018 8,072,495 3,122,693 39% 3092 1138 37%
Average 7,889,367 3,092,441 n/a 3314 1184 n/a