Dying with Dignity is a three-star charity. It has a B+ results reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 60 cents go to the cause, which is outside of Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1982, Dying with Dignity Canada (DWDC) seeks to improve individuals’ quality of dying, protect end-of-life rights, and help Canadians avoid unwanted suffering. DWDC focuses on medical assistance in dying (MAID). The charity has 12 active chapters across Canada with a head office in Toronto. In F2022 the charity created a new chapter in Cowichan, B.C.. Dying with Dignity Canada hosted the World Federation of Right to Die Societies International Conference in F2022. The charity reported over 200 registrants from 17 countries attended the conference. DWDC has three programs: Advocacy, Support, and Education. The charity does not provide a breakdown of its spending on its programs.

Advocacy: DWDC’s Advocacy program works to ensure that Canada’s assisted dying laws follow the Constitution, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In F2022, its Advocacy program focused on the inclusion of those with mental disorders within bill C-7. In F2022, DWDC engaged with the media 120 times. This included 52 letters to the editor and opinion pieces in response to misinformation about MAID. The charity reported its supporters sent thousands of letters to Members of the Legislative Assembly. DWDC engaged in over 70 meetings and communications with MPs and 117 with Senators. In F2022, the charity launched an advocacy campaign to remove unfair barriers to MAID access. 2,569 people signed this campaign in F2022.

Support: DWDC’s Support program helps those at the end of their lives seeking MAID. The charity engaged in 2,586 support activities in F2022. Support activities are defined as calls and emails with individuals requesting end-of-life support. DWDC reported its website impressions for its Support program pages. Advanced Care Planning (ACP) Kits received 14,292 visits, MAID Request Forms received 4,124 visits, and Patient Rights Guides received 3,600 visits.

Education: DWDC’s Education program informs people on MAID planning, patient rights, and their legal end-of-life options. Due to an increase in misinformation surrounding MAID, DWDC created a Myths and Facts page on its website. This page achieved 13,041 views in F2022. The charity delivered 36 webinars across its chapters in F2022. DWDC provided four new resources in F2022: a MAID Navigation Guide, What is MAID, 11 Navigating a Request for MAID Videos, and a MAID Assessment Guide.

The charity is being sued by its previous CEO for wrongful dismissal. The claim and legal costs are covered by Dying with Dignity Canada's insurance. More information can be found here. 

DWDC does not disclose its program costs within its audited financials. As such, Ci reported administrative, program, and fundraising costs from the charity’s T3010 filings with the CRA. 

Dying with Dignity Canada received $2.5m in donations in F2022 and $114k in goods in kind. Administrative costs are 15% of revenue, excluding investment income, and fundraising costs are 24% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 40%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 60 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

The charity has $7.7m in reserve funds. DWDC could cover 437%, or four years and four months of its annual program costs with its current reserves.

In F2022, DWDC paid external fundraisers $314k to collect $827k in revenue. As such, it costs Dying with Dignity Canada 38 cents to raise one dollar using external fundraisers.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Dying with Dignity Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 15, 2023 by Liam Chapleau.