Canada maintains a reputation for being relatively safe, especially when compared to its southern neighbors.
However, no place is without its challenges. Crime is a reality here too, with certain areas experiencing higher risks due to a variety of factors including socioeconomic conditions, population density, and local law enforcement effectiveness.
In this analysis, we will identify the top 20 cities in Canada that are considered the most dangerous based on crime statistics and trends. The results may be unexpected for some, shedding light on the complexities of urban safety in Canada.
Top 20 Canadian Cities with High Crime Rates
20. Abbotsford, BC
At number 20, we have Abbotsford, a city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. What’s interesting about Abbotsford is that its Crime Severity Index (CSI) is actually below the national average of 73.7. Despite being known for its issues with gang-related crime, Abbotsford ranks lower on the danger scale compared to other cities on our list. This highlights that while it has its challenges, it’s relatively safer in the grand scheme of things.
In Abbotsford, the rate of crime incidents per 100,000 population was 10,783.42 in the past year, marking a modest 0.3% increase from 2021. Additionally, the city’s rate of total people charged per 100,000 population (aged 12 and over) was 1,385, which also represents a slight rise from the previous year according to Mission city records.
Breaking down the numbers further, out of the 522 individuals charged in Abbotsford in 2021, 492 were adults and 30 were youth. These figures provide a detailed view of the crime landscape, highlighting both the prevalence of crime and the demographic distribution of those charged.
19. Calgary, AB
Calgary is the biggest city on our list. If you’re curious about how Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto stack up against Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vancouver, here’s their CSI:
- Montreal: 72
- Ottawa: 50.2
- Toronto: 56.7
18. Burnaby, BC
Here’s an interesting aspect about Burnaby: it has a lower rate of violent crime compared to non-violent crime, which sets it apart from some other cities on the list.
One of my friends has lived there for almost 30 years and was quite surprised to see Burnaby make the list. Generally, Burnaby is considered to be a safe place, and many locals share this perception. Despite its inclusion in the top 20, the overall sentiment among residents is that Burnaby remains a relatively secure city to live in.
17. Chatham-Kent, ON
16. Langley, BC
Here we have another city from the Lower Mainland, Langley. What’s interesting about Langley is that the CSI numbers are pretty close across the board. Violent and non-violent crimes are almost evenly matched, so neither one is heavily influencing the overall crime rate.
15. Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
14. Kingston, ON
Kingston, the first capital of the colony of Canada, also makes the list. Both violent and non-violent crime rates are quite similar in this historic city.
According to a 2018 report by Statistics Canada, the most prevalent crimes in Kingston are breaking and entering, along with sexual assault.
From 2008 to 2018, the city’s CSI remained largely unchanged, with only a 1% decline over the course of the decade. The decrease of Kingston’s CSI from 2008 to 2018 has a big difference compared to Ontario’s 15% decline during the same time frame.
13. Greater Sudbury, ON
Sudbury, known as the nickel capital of the world, has a high violent crime rate—almost double that of non-violent crime.
12. Surrey, BC
According to Statscan, Surrey is only #3 among the Lower Mainland cities. Interestingly, the violent and non-violent Crime Severity Index (CSI) numbers are almost identical. This might surprise some, considering Surrey’s history with violent gang-related shootings, especially during the peaks in the ’90s and the occasional spikes since then.
11. Brantford, ON
You might recognize Brantford, Ontario as the hometown of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. But it’s also notable for its high crime rate of 86.4, with violent crime significantly higher than non-violent crime but according to Brantford Police Service among those violent crimes, there were no murders in 2023 but in 2022 there were at least 6 homocides.
10. London, ON
London, situated halfway between Toronto and Windsor. Known for its strong manufacturing sector, London has a violent crime rate that significantly exceeds its non-violent crime rate. Additionally, the city has gained a reputation for frequent bike thefts, adding to its crime concerns.
9. Vancouver, BC
If you asked most Canadians which of our three major metro areas had the most crime, many would point to Vancouver. And they’d be right.
Vancouver is a stunning city to visit, but sadly, the crime rates here aren’t so great, much like other cities in the Lower Mainland. There’s a mix of violent and non-violent crime, but according to locals, the biggest issues are related to addiction and drugs.
The astronomical cost of living fuels a tough homelessness problem, especially in areas like the Downtown Eastside, bringing the city’s crime rates up. Vancouver’s crime rate is 8.62 per 1000 residents as per VPD says.
8. Windsor, ON
Located at the busiest border crossing between Canada and the U.S., Windsor shows almost equal rates of violent and non-violent crime.
7. Edmonton, AB
Of Alberta’s two major cities, Edmonton has the highest crime rate, with a CSI of 106.2. The capital of Alberta also scores high in violent crime.
One of the most encouraging findings is the 7.2% decrease in the overall crime rate.
Despite the drop in the overall crime rate, the crime severity index saw a 4.6% increase.
6. Richmond, BC
Richmond, home to Vancouver’s airport. Interestingly, their high overall crime rate is driven by non-violent crime, with a CSI of 121.2.
Their violent CSI, at 66.2, is much lower.
5. Regina, SK
Saskatchewan’s capital. Like Winnipeg, Regina has a significantly higher violent crime rate compared to non-violent crime.
In fact, it has the third-highest violent crime CSI on our list.
4. Winnipeg, MB
Manitoba’s capital city, Winnipeg, has a CSI of 118.5.
There’s a notable disparity between violent and non-violent crime here, with Winnipeg having the second-highest violent crime CSI among the cities on our list.
The data released by Statistics Canada, which measures crime per 100,000 people, shows Winnipeg saw the largest jump in crime severity – 20 per cent – of any other Canadian city from 2021 to 2022.
3. Saskatoon, SK
2. Kelowna, BC
Kelowna is famous for its beautiful scenery, fantastic weather, wine, and orchards – and now, crime. With a CSI of 141.9, it’s the highest in BC, which might surprise locals. Interestingly, their non-violent CSI is much higher than the violent one.
1. Red Deer, AB
Taking the top spot is Red Deer, Alberta. Positioned roughly halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, this city is notorious for its “Gasoline Alley.” With a CSI of 176.4, Red Deer leads the list, with both violent and non-violent crime rates being quite high.
Most Dangerous Provinces
Wondering about the crime stats by province and territory? We’ve got those too! Here’s the rundown of the overall rate for Canada, followed by each province and territory.
| Province/Territory | Crime Severity Index |
|---|---|
| Northwest Territories | 391.3 |
| Nunavut | 384.1 |
| Yukon | 213.3 |
| Saskatchewan | 146.8 |
| Manitoba | 126.9 |
| Alberta | 101.4 |
| British Columbia | 92.9 |
| New Brunswick | 88.5 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 75.5 |
| Nova Scotia | 71.6 |
| Prince Edward Island | 57.0 |
| Ontario | 56.2 |
| Quebec | 54.3 |
Among the provinces, Ontario stands out.
Despite having seven cities on our top 20 list, Ontario still has the second-best crime rate among all provinces.
British Columbia, with seven cities on the list as well, is in the middle of the pack.
The territories have very high crime rates, but their small populations mean it doesn’t take much to skew the CSI.
Safest Cities in Canada?
And now for the safest cities in Canada. Here are the top 10, along with their overall CSI:
| Region | Value |
|---|---|
| Halton Region | 24.0 |
| Terrebonne | 28.9 |
| Peel Region | 35.2 |
| York Region | 39.5 |
| Durham Region | 42.5 |
| Laval | 47.7 |
| Québec City | 48.6 |
| Ottawa | 50.2 |
| Longueuil | 51.2 |
| Trois-Rivières | 52.3 |
Criteria for Measuring Crime Rates
Crime rates are measured using several key indicators.
The Crime Severity Index (CSI), for instance, accounts for both the volume and seriousness of crimes. Other metrics include the police-reported crime rate, which calculates incidents per 100,000 population.
These indicators are important for understanding the overall level of criminal activity and identifying trends over time.
Specific attention is often given to violent crimes—such as homicides and assaults—as well as non-violent crimes, like theft and fraud.
