Coroners agree to record gambling information in suicide records

Community Action, June 16, 2003

IQUALIUT -- Whenever gambling is mentioned in relation to suicides Canada's Coroners will record it, according to an agreement reached at the Intergovernmental Conference of Chief Coroners and Chief Medical Examiners of Canada in Iqalioit.

Tracking methods across Canada have varied. Ontario lists problem betting only when it is a direct, primary cause of self-inflicted death. Therefore, Ontario records the fewest gambling related suicides.

However, Alberta, Nova Scotia or Quebec report higher rates. These provinces do a more thorough inquiry when gambling arises as a factor.

Gambling critics have called on coroners and governments to standardize how such deaths are assessed.

The coroners agreed to note each case where gambling was a potential or possible contributing stressor--implying something that tipped the person over the edge, unknown.