Year: 1992 Source: Psychological Reports, v.71, no.3, pt.1, (December 1992), p.738 SIEC No: 19920873

Prior to 1972, suicide was illegal in Canada. The present note examines whether the decriminalization of suicide was reflected in Canada’s suicide rate. The suicide rate increased from 1961-1971; the rate of increase from 1973-1982 was less. From this analysis it appears that changing the legal status of suicide in Canada was not associated with an increase in the rate of suicide (or perhaps the certification of suicide by coroners). (1 ref.)