New Canada Crime Rate Data Reveals the Country’s Most Violent City
- Cindy Peterson
- Sep 14
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 21
A February 2025 report from the Fraser Institute identifies Winnipeg as Canada’s most violent city. The study examined crime data from 2019 to 2022 across all Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with populations over 100,000.
Canada Crime Rates: Violent Offenses Across Major Cities
Between 2019 and 2022, violent crime rates - including homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault - were significantly higher in Western Canada compared to Quebec.
Winnipeg topped the list with 675 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, more than double the national average of 262.
Other high-ranking cities included Thunder Bay (611), Regina (519), Saskatoon (470), Lethbridge (442), and Edmonton (418).
Among Canada’s five largest metropolitan areas, Calgary ranked 11th overall, recording the highest violent crime rate in that group. Vancouver (16th), Montreal (18th), and Toronto (24th) followed.
Several cities reported rates close to the national urban average: Brantford (278), London (271), Halifax (259), Vancouver (250), and St. John’s (239).
The lowest rates were found in Quebec and Ontario cities. Sherbrooke (102), Québec City, Barrie (125), and Guelph (127) reported the lowest levels of violent crime, along with St. Catharines-Niagara (147) and Belleville (152).
Property Crime
The study also found property crime to be concentrated in Western cities, while Quebec urban centers consistently reported much lower levels.
Lethbridge, Alberta, had the highest rate nationwide at 5,521 incidents per 100,000 people, more than double the national urban average of 2,513.
Kelowna (4,778) and Regina (4,496) followed.
Vancouver (3,885) ranked sixth overall and led among Canada’s largest cities, with Calgary (3,591) close behind.
Other cities with above-average rates included Abbotsford-Mission (3,515), Thunder Bay (3,370), and Saskatoon (3,220).
Mid-range cities such as London (3,136), Victoria (2,879), and Moncton (2,913) hovered above or near the national average.
Cities slightly below included Halifax (2,527), Brantford (2,471), and St. John’s (2,140).
Quebec cities recorded the lowest property crime: Québec City (925), Saguenay (1,057), and Sherbrooke (1,172).
Other low-crime areas included Trois-Rivières (1,335), Saint John (1,452), and Montreal (1,514).
Canada vs. the U.S.
The study also compared Canadian crime to American trends. From 2014 to 2022, Canada’s violent crime rate rose by 43.8%, reaching 434.1 per 100,000 people - about 14% higher than the U.S. rate.
Property crime in CThe study also compared Canadian crime to American trends. From 2014 to 2022, Canada’s violent crime rate rose by 43.8%, reaching 434.1 per 100,000 people - about 14% higher than the U.S. rate.anada is also now 27.5% higher than in the U.S.
Although overall levels remain historically low, the Fraser Institute warns the upward trend is a concern for policymakers and the public.
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