Canada Crime Rates and Statistics (Updated)

Understanding crime statistics in Canada is crucial for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and citizens alike. These figures provide valuable insights into the safety and security of all Canadian communities, helping to shape public policy and allocate resources effectively. Key sources of data for Canadian crime statistics includes Statistics Canada, which conducts comprehensive national surveys, and local police reports that offer more detailed information at the municipal level.

In recent years, Canada has seen a mixed picture in terms of crime trends, with some types of offenses declining while others have shown concerning increases. This article will explore the latest crime statistics in Canada, examining notable trends, areas of improvement, and emerging challenges that warrant attention.

Overview of Crime Statistics in Canada

Crime statistics in Canada have shown notable trends over the past few years, as revealed by the latest data from Statistics Canada. The Crime Severity Index (CSI), which measures both the volume and severity of police-reported crime, increased by 2% in 2023, reaching a value of 80.5. This marks the third consecutive year of growth, indicating a persistent upward trend that began in 2015. The CSI’s rise reflects ongoing challenges in crime prevention and public safety across the country.

The overall crime rate in Canada has also seen an increase. In 2023, the police-reported crime rate rose by 2.5% from the previous year, reaching 5,843 incidents per 100,000 population. This uptick aligns with the CSI trend, suggesting a general increase in both the frequency and severity of criminal incidents across the nation.

When examining specific categories of crime, several notable trends emerge. The Non-violent CSI, which includes property offenses and drug crimes, rose by 3.1% in 2023 to 73.5, following a 5% increase in 2022. This suggests an increase in non-violent criminal activities over the past two years. Conversely, the Violent CSI remained relatively stable in 2023, with only a slight 0.4% increase to 99.5. However, this follows a substantial 13% cumulative increase over the previous two years, indicating that violent crime rates, while stabilizing, remain elevated compared to pre-2021 levels.

Some specific crime categories have seen dramatic changes. Police-reported child pornography incidents surged by 52% in 2023, reaching 53 incidents per 100,000 population. In absolute numbers, there were 21,417 incidents of child pornography reported by police in 2023. This alarming increase is partly attributed to enhanced reporting and investigation capabilities. Fraud cases have also continued to rise, with a 12% increase in the general fraud rate in 2023. Over the past decade, the total number of fraud incidents has more than doubled, from about 91,400 in 2013 to over 201,000 in 2023.

On a more positive note, homicide rates saw a significant decrease in 2023, with 778 reported cases, 104 fewer than the previous year. This represents a 14% drop in the homicide rate, falling to 1.94 per 100,000 population, the lowest since 2019. Additionally, breaking and entering incidents continued their long-term downward trend, decreasing by 5% to 326 incidents per 100,000 population in 2023.

It’s important to note that crime rates vary significantly across different regions of Canada. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut reported the highest CSI values at 473.7 and 429.1 respectively, while Ontario and Quebec had the lowest at 60.9 and 62.2. These regional disparities highlight the complex nature of crime patterns across the country and the need for tailored approaches to crime prevention and law enforcement.

Canada’s Violent Crime Severity Index Remains Stable Amidst Shifting Crime Patterns

• Violent crime offences used to calculate the violent crime severity index include assault, harassment, uttering threats, sexual assault or other sexual offences, firearms, robbery, forcible confinement, kidnapping, attempted murder, and homicide.
• The Violent CSI in Canada remained virtually unchanged in 2023, with a minimal increase of 0.4%, from 99.1 in 2022 to 99.5 in 2023.
• This stability comes after a significant 13% cumulative increase over the previous two years, from 87.7 in 2020 to 99.1 in 2022.
• The marginal change suggests a potential plateau in violent crime rates, though individual offense categories show varied trends.

Homicide Rates in Canada Show Significant Decrease

• Homicide rates in Canada decreased by 14% in 2023 compared to the previous year, from 2.25 per 100,000 population in 2022 to 1.94 per 100,000 population in 2023.
• This substantial drop, from 882 homicides in 2022 to 778 homicides in 2023, is a positive development in the most severe category of violent crime.
• The decline in homicides was a primary factor in keeping the overall Violent CSI relatively stable, counterbalancing increases in other violent offenses.

Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm Offences on the Rise

• Despite the decrease in homicides, assault committed with a weapon or causing bodily harm increased by 7% in 2023, from 104,825 incidents in 2022 to 112,164 incidents in 2023.
• This rise in serious assaults, from 268.7 incidents per 100,000 population (105,267 incidents) in 2022 to 287.5 incidents per 100,000 population (112,551 incidents) in 2023, indicates a concerning trend in violent confrontations.
• This increase is potentially suggesting an increase in the use of weapons or in the severity of physical altercations.

Regional Variations in Violent Crime

• While national trends provide an overall picture, it’s important to note that violent crime rates varied significantly across different regions of Canada.
• The territories continued to have the highest CSI values, with Nunavut showing an increase from 589.0 in 2022 to 667.3 in 2023, an 11.8% increase.
• Among the provinces, Saskatchewan and Manitoba reported the highest CSI values, with Saskatchewan at 160.2 and Manitoba at 145.5 in 2023, indicating higher rates of both violent and non-violent crimes in these areas.

Indigenous Population Disproportionately Affected

• Indigenous people continue to be overrepresented among victims of homicide.
• The homicide rate for Indigenous people was 9.31 per 100,000 population (235 homicides) in 2023, over six times higher than the rate for the non-Indigenous population at 1.46 per 100,000 population (543 homicides).
• This stark disparity underscores the ongoing social and systemic issues affecting Indigenous communities.

Property Crime Trends Show Mixed Results Across Different Offenses

Breaking and Entering Offences Continue Downward Trend

• Breaking and entering incidents decreased by 5% in 2023, dropping from 343 incidents per 100,000 population in 2022 to 326 incidents per 100,000 population in 2023.
• This decline, from 134,341 incidents in 2022 to 127,624 incidents in 2023, continues a general downward trend observed since the 1990s.
• Despite the decrease, breaking and entering remains a significant contributor to the overall Crime Severity Index, accounting for 15% of its total value.

Shoplifting on the Rise

• Shoplifting of $5,000 or under increased significantly, rising by 18% in 2023.
• This increase brought the rate from 328 incidents per 100,000 population in 2022 to 387 incidents per 100,000 population in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
• The number of shoplifting incidents rose from 128,460 in 2022 to 151,253 in 2023. This rise in shoplifting incidents suggests potential economic pressures or changes in retail security measures.

Motor Vehicle Theft Increases for Third Consecutive Year

• The rate of motor vehicle theft rose by 5% in 2023, reaching 286 incidents per 100,000 population, up from 272 incidents per 100,000 population in 2022.
• This marks the third consecutive year of increase and puts the rate 24% higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
• The number of motor vehicle theft incidents increased from 106,489 in 2022 to 111,814 in 2023.
• However, it’s worth noting that despite recent increases, the current rate is still about half of what it was 25 years ago.

Regional Variations in Motor Vehicle Theft

• Motor vehicle theft trends varied significantly across provinces. Ontario and Quebec saw increases of 16% and 15% respectively. Ontario’s rate rose from 144 incidents per 100,000 population (20,736 incidents) in 2022 to 167 incidents per 100,000 population (24,054 incidents) in 2023.
• Quebec’s rate increasing from 159 incidents per 100,000 population (13,584 incidents) in 2022 to 183 incidents per 100,000 population (15,622 incidents) in 2023.
• In contrast, the Prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, while still having the highest rates among provinces, recorded decreases in 2023.
• Manitoba’s rate decreased from 1,046 incidents per 100,000 population (14,538 incidents) in 2022 to 995 incidents per 100,000 population (13,830 incidents) in 2023.
• Saskatchewan’s rate decreased from 1,029 incidents per 100,000 population (12,245 incidents) in 2022 to 977 incidents per 100,000 population (11,627 incidents) in 2023.
• Alberta’s rate decreased from 531 incidents per 100,000 population (23,850 incidents) in 2022 to 504 incidents per 100,000 population (22,644 incidents) in 2023.

Fraud Incidents Continue to Rise

• Fraud cases (excluding identity fraud) increased by 12% in 2023, rising from 176 incidents per 100,000 population (68,992 incidents) in 2022 to 197 incidents per 100,000 population (77,152 incidents) in 2023.
• The combined rate of all fraud types, including identity theft and fraud, has nearly doubled over the past decade, rising from 260 incidents per 100,000 population (101,840 incidents) in 2013 to 501 incidents per 100,000 population (195,891 incidents) in 2023.
• The number of fraud incidents (excluding identity fraud) increased from 68,992 in 2022 to 77,152 in 2023.

Hate Crimes in Canada Continue to Rise at an Alarming Rate

• The number of police-reported hate crimes in Canada increased by 32%, rising from 3,612 incidents in 2022 to 4,777 incidents in 2023.
• This substantial increase follows an 8% rise in 2022 (from 3,343 incidents in 2021 to 3,612 incidents in 2022) and a 72% increase from 2019 to 2021 (from 1,951 incidents in 2019 to 3,343 incidents in 2021).
• Overall, the number of police-reported hate crimes has more than doubled (+145%) since 2019, from 1,951 incidents to 4,777 incidents in 2023, indicating a disturbing upward trend in bias-motivated offenses.

Religion-Based Hate Crimes See Sharp Rise

• Hate crimes targeting religious groups saw a significant increase of 67% in 2023, rising from 769 incidents in 2022 to 1,284 incidents in 2023.
• This surge suggests a growing intolerance towards religious communities.

Sexual Orientation-Based Hate Crimes Also Escalate

• Hate crimes based on sexual orientation rose dramatically by 69%, from 509 incidents in 2022 to 860 incidents in 2023.
• This significant increase points to persistent discrimination and hostility towards LGBTQ+ communities, underscoring the importance of continued education and acceptance initiatives.

Race and Ethnicity-Based Hate Crimes Continue to Increase

• Hate crimes targeting specific races or ethnicities increased by 6% in 2023, from 1,634 incidents in 2022 to 1,732 incidents in 2023.
• While this increase is smaller compared to other categories, it still represents a concerning trend in racial and ethnic discrimination.

Underreporting Remains a Significant Issue

• The 2019 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety estimates that Canadians self-reported being victims of over 223,000 criminal incidents perceived as being motivated by hate in the 12 months preceding the survey.
• However, only about one in five of these incidents was reported to the police, suggesting that official statistics may significantly underestimate the true extent of hate crimes in Canada.

Sex-Related Offences in Canada Show Mixed Trends with Concerning Increases in Online Offences

Decrease in Sexual Violations Against Children

• There was a 10% decrease in sexual violations against children in 2023 compared to 2022, from 6,777 incidents in 2022 to 6,099 incidents in 2023.
• This decline is a positive development, suggesting potentially improved prevention efforts or increased awareness.

Significant Increase in Child Pornography Incidents

• There was a 52% increase in the rate of police-reported child pornography in 2023, rising from 35 incidents per 100,000 population (13,720 incidents) in 2022 to 53 incidents per 100,000 population (20,727 incidents) in 2023.
• This alarming increase was the largest contributor to the change in the overall Crime Severity Index in 2023.
• 21,417 incidents of child pornography were reported by police in 2023, up from 14,109 incidents in 2022, with 76% of these (16,277 incidents) involving making or distributing child pornography.

Regional Variations in Child Pornography Incidents

• The increase in child pornography cases was not uniform across Canada.
• British Columbia accounted for 79% of the increase, rising from 1,418 incidents in 2022 to 6,569 incidents in 2023, while Alberta accounted for another 14%, rising from 1,959 incidents in 2022 to 2,936 incidents in 2023.
• Interestingly, Manitoba reported a decrease in such incidents, from 314 incidents in 2022 to 295 incidents in 2023.
• These regional differences highlight the need for targeted interventions and investigations.

Cyber Component in Sex Crimes

• A high proportion of sex crimes, particularly those involving children, had a cyber component. Specifically, 79% of child pornography incidents (16,920 out of 21,417 incidents) and 20% of sexual violations against children (1,220 out of 6,099 incidents) were recorded by police as cybercrimes in 2023.
• This underscores the growing challenge of online sexual exploitation and the need for enhanced digital investigation capabilities.

Theft Crimes in Canada Show Varying Trends Across Different Categories

Motor Vehicle Theft Continues to Rise

• Motor vehicle theft rates increased by 5% in 2023, reaching 286 incidents per 100,000 population (111,814 incidents), up from 272 incidents per 100,000 population (106,489 incidents) in 2022.
• This marks the third consecutive year of increase for this crime category.
• The current rate is 24% higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels (230 incidents per 100,000 population or 89,937 incidents in 2019), indicating a persistent and growing problem in this area. The number of motor vehicle theft incidents increased from 106,489 in 2022 to 111,814 in 2023.

Regional Variations in Motor Vehicle Theft

• Motor vehicle theft trends showed significant regional differences.
• Ontario and Quebec experienced increases of 16% and 15% respectively. Ontario’s rate rose from 144 incidents per 100,000 population (20,736 incidents) in 2022 to 167 incidents per 100,000 population (24,054 incidents) in 2023.
• While Quebec’s rate increased from 159 incidents per 100,000 population (13,584 incidents) in 2022 to 183 incidents per 100,000 population (15,622 incidents) in 2023.
• In contrast, the Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta), despite having the highest rates among provinces, recorded decreases in 2023.
• Manitoba’s rate decreased from 1,046 incidents per 100,000 population (14,538 incidents) in 2022 to 995 incidents per 100,000 population (13,830 incidents) in 2023.
• Saskatchewan’s rate decreased from 1,029 incidents per 100,000 population (12,245 incidents) in 2022 to 977 incidents per 100,000 population (11,627 incidents) in 2023.
• Alberta’s rate decreased from 531 incidents per 100,000 population (23,850 incidents) in 2022 to 504 incidents per 100,000 population (22,644 incidents) in 2023.

Historical Context of Motor Vehicle Theft

• Despite the recent increases, it’s worth noting that the current rate of motor vehicle theft at 286 incidents per 100,000 population (111,814 incidents) in 2023 is still about half of what it was 25 years ago, which was approximately 572 incidents per 100,000 population (163,264 incidents) in 1998.
• This long-term perspective provides important context to the recent upward trend.

Fraud Incidents on the Rise

• While not strictly a theft crime, fraud (excluding identity fraud) saw a 12% increase in 2023, rising from 176 incidents per 100,000 population (68,992 incidents) in 2022 to 197 incidents per 100,000 population (77,152 incidents) in 2023.
• The combined rate of all fraud types, including identity theft and fraud, has nearly doubled over the past decade, rising from 260 incidents per 100,000 population (101,840 incidents) in 2013 to 501 incidents per 100,000 population (195,891 incidents) in 2023.

Cyber Crimes in Canada Continue to Evolve and Increase, Posing New Challenges for Law Enforcement

Significant Rise in Overall Fraud Incidents

• The rate of fraud (excluding identity fraud) increased by 12% in 2023, from 176 incidents per 100,000 population (68,992 incidents) in 2022 to 197 incidents per 100,000 population (77,152 incidents) in 2023.
• This substantial rise indicates a growing problem with financial crimes, likely reflecting the evolving tactics of criminals in the digital age.
• The combined rate of all fraud types, including identity theft and fraud, has nearly doubled over the past decade, rising from 260 incidents per 100,000 population (101,840 incidents) in 2013 to 501 incidents per 100,000 population (195,891 incidents) in 2023.

Decrease in Identity Theft and Fraud

• Contrary to the overall fraud trend, identity theft decreased by 24%, from 14 incidents per 100,000 population (5,488 incidents) in 2022 to 11 incidents per 100,000 population (4,170 incidents) in 2023.
• Identity fraud dropped by 6%, from 165 incidents per 100,000 population (64,605 incidents) in 2022 to 155 incidents per 100,000 population (60,595 incidents) in 2023.
• This decline could suggest improved security measures or increased public awareness about protecting personal information. However, given the rise in overall fraud, it’s possible that cybercriminals are shifting to other tactics.

Cyber Component in Child Exploitation Crimes

• There is a significant cyber element in crimes against children. 79% of child pornography incidents (16,920 out of 21,417 incidents) and 20% of sexual violations against children (1,220 out of 6,099 incidents) were recorded as cybercrimes in 2023.
• This underscores the growing challenge of online sexual exploitation and the need for enhanced digital investigation capabilities.

Crime Severity Varies Significantly Across Canadian Provinces and Territories: High-Crime vs. Low-Crime Provinces and Cities

Territories Lead in Crime Severity

• The territories consistently show the highest Crime Severity Index (CSI) scores in Canada.
• In 2023, Nunavut had the highest CSI at 429.1, followed by the Northwest Territories at 473.7, and Yukon at 218.8.
• These scores are significantly higher than any province, reflecting the unique challenges faced in northern regions.

Saskatchewan Tops Provincial Crime Severity

• Among the provinces, Saskatchewan had the highest CSI at 160.2 in 2023, followed by Manitoba at 145.5.
• These Prairie provinces consistently rank high in crime severity, indicating persistent regional challenges.

Ontario and Quebec Show Lowest Crime Severity

• Ontario (60.9) and Quebec (62.2) reported the lowest CSI scores among provinces in 2023.
• This suggests that Canada’s two most populous provinces experience relatively lower levels of crime severity compared to other regions.

Key Findings from the Crime Severity Index by Region

Western Provinces Face Higher Crime Severity

• British Columbia (104.1) and Alberta (103.0) also reported relatively high CSI scores, though lower than Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
• This indicates a general trend of higher crime severity in Western Canada.

Atlantic Provinces Show Mixed Results

• Among Atlantic provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest CSI at 86.3, while Nova Scotia had the lowest at 73.8.
• This variation suggests diverse crime patterns across the Atlantic region.

Significant Annual Changes in Some Regions

• Prince Edward Island experienced a notable 17% increase in its CSI, rising from 63.0 in 2022 to 73.7 in 2023, the largest percentage increase among provinces.
• Conversely, New Brunswick saw a 1.5% decrease in its CSI, dropping from 86.5 in 2022 to 85.2 in 2023, indicating divergent trends even within the Atlantic region.

Notable Shifts or Patterns in Urban vs. Rural Crime Rates

Territorial Crime Rates Suggest Rural Challenges

• The extremely high CSI scores in the territories, which are predominantly rural, suggest that rural and remote areas can face severe crime challenges.
• For instance, the Northwest Territories reported a crime rate of 54,974 incidents per 100,000 population, far exceeding any provincial rate.

Provincial Variations May Reflect Urban-Rural Differences

• The lower CSI scores in highly urbanized provinces like Ontario and Quebec, compared to more rural-heavy provinces like Saskatchewan and Manitoba, might partially reflect urban-rural crime patterns.

Demographic Factors Play Role in Shaping Canadian Crime Trends

Indigenous Population and Crime

• The report highlights that Indigenous people continue to be overrepresented as victims of homicide.
• The homicide rate for Indigenous people was 9.31 per 100,000 population (235 homicides) in 2023, over six times higher than the rate for the non-Indigenous population at 1.46 per 100,000 population (543 homicides).

Racialized Populations and Homicide Victimization

• Victims identified as racialized accounted for 30% of homicide victims in 2023 (233 out of 778 homicides).
• The homicide rate for the racialized population was 1.98 per 100,000 population (233 homicides) in 2023, higher than the rate for the non-racialized population at 1.90 per 100,000 population (545 homicides), although it decreased from 2.19 per 100,000 population (257 homicides) in 2022.

Analysis

In conclusion, the latest crime statistics in Canada paint a complex picture, with the overall Crime Severity Index (CSI) showing a slight increase in 2023 despite a significant decrease in homicides. While the Violent CSI remained relatively stable, there were notable increases in serious assaults and child pornography incidents. Property crime trends were mixed, with breaking and entering offenses continuing their long-term decline while shoplifting and motor vehicle theft increased. Fraud incidents, particularly those with a cyber component, continued to rise at an alarming rate, nearly doubling over the past decade. Regional variations in crime severity were evident, with the territories and Prairie provinces consistently showing higher CSI scores than Ontario and Quebec. The data also underscored the ongoing overrepresentation of Indigenous people and racialized populations as victims of homicide.

These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and policies that address the complex factors contributing to crime in Canada. While some positive trends are evident, such as the decrease in homicides and breaking and entering incidents, the rise in hate crimes, fraud, and certain violent offenses underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and policymakers. Moving forward, a comprehensive approach that considers regional disparities, demographic factors, and the growing impact of technology on crime will be essential in developing effective strategies to promote public safety and reduce the social and economic costs of crime in Canada.

Source

• https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240725/dq240725b-eng.htm