Most Dangerous Cities In Canada 2025

With a Crime Severity Index (CSI) of 165.33 in 2023, the town of Kamloops, BC, is one of the most dangerous cities in Canada. The runner-ups include Chilliwack, BC, at 156.16, and Red Deer, AB, at 146.85, both of which stand head and shoulders above the national average of 80.45.

CSI measures both the frequency and severity of crimes, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. We used the most recent crime statistics and expert reports to identify the 10 most dangerous cities in Canada according to a range of factors, including violent crime, non-violent crime, organized crime, hate crimes, and dangerous driving.

Key Takeaways

• According to the Crime Severity Index, the most dangerous city in Canada is Kamloops, BC, followed by Chilliwack, BC.
• Because it experiences more hate crime and organized criminal activity, we consider Chilliwack to be more dangerous than Kamloops.
• Due to its extremely high rate of violent crime, Nunavut is the most dangerous province, while Ontario has the largest number of organized criminal groups.
• The city with the lowest Crime Severity Index in Canada is Saguenay, QC.
• While small, isolated towns exhibit plenty of violent and non-violent crime, large cities are hotbeds for criminal groups and street gangs.

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The 10 most dangerous cities in Canada

When it comes to evaluating danger, the Crime Severity Index (CSI) is an invaluable tool. The CSI is a weighted score that reflects both the frequency and severity of criminal activity within a particular province or city.

Crimes with longer prison sentences receive more weight; for example, murder contributes more heavily to the CSI than robbery.

Check out the official CSI fact sheet here

As useful as it can be, the CSI doesn’t provide the full picture. Changes to legislation and population – and the tendency for some crimes to be underreported, whether due to their sensitive nature or community distrust – can invisibly impact the numbers.

For example, due to the secretive nature of organized crime, it’s hard to get an idea of gang activity when looking at the CSI. To get our rankings, we examined 1 – 5 key indicators – including the latest CSI – in 5 categories:

• Non-violent crimes such as robberies, breaking and entering, and drug violations
• Dangerous driving such as speeding, impaired driving, and stunt driving
• Violent crimes such as assaults, murders, and intimate partner violence
• Organized crime, as indicated by drug and weapons trafficking
• Hate crimes such as assaults or vandalism directed against specific groups of Canadians

The higher a city ranked against its neighbours, the more points it received. The end result is a scoresheet for each citys and a definitive list of the 10 most dangerous places to live in Canada:

The following rankings do not account for the crime disproportionately experienced by specific social groups, nor do they measure year-by-year changes in crime statistics. Our analysis is confined to the CSI and rate of occurrence of specific criminal incidents as recorded in 2023.

1. Chilliwack, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Assaults: 1,225.7
• Breaking and entering: 569.6
• Drugs trafficking, production, or distribution: 81.0
• Homicides: 4.8

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

We’ll have to wait and see what effect the removal of a longstanding encampment of unhoused people will have on next year’s crime rate, but for the moment, the growth of crime in Chilliwack, BC appears unchecked. Its Crime Severity Index (CSI) is nearly double that of Vancouver – which has 20x the population – and a recent petition for improved public safety has halted at just 944 signatures (at the time of writing).

Mayor Ken Popove contends that crime rates always fluctuate and highlighted the city’s Healthier Community, Housing First Task Team, and Interagency Response Table initiatives. Chilliwack also received funding for new crisis-response teams in 2023; the police officers and psychiatric nurses paired together under the Car 67 program might yet make a difference.

2. Kamloops, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Assaults: 1,110.4
• Breaking and entering: 696.0
• Motor vehicle thefts: 463.5
• Traffic violations: 383.2
• Homicides: 3.3

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

New and existing residents of Kamloops should beware of escalating gang violence as the population grows, and focus on keeping youths safe from recruitment. That said, Kamloops RCMP Superintendent Jeff Pelley advises the city’s law enforcement is also growing fast and implementing new strategies to engage the community, monitor high-risk individuals, and decrease response time.

3. Lethbridge, Alberta

Highest crime stats:

• Assaults: 1,305.8
• Breaking and entering: 860.1
• Drug violations: 652.9
• Violent incidents involving an intimate partner: 616.2
• Traffic violations: 349.6
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 137.1
• Sexual assaults: 134.9

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

According to the crime map for Lethbridge, AB, the majority of drug, person, and property crimes happen downtown – and the worst places to drive are Mayor Magrath Drive (Highway 5) and 3 Avenue South. But if you ask downtown residents, some of the most "regular" and unsightly crimes are public urination and defecation.

Residents and newcomers are advised to upgrade their home and business security systems, as Lethbridge had the highest rate of burglaries in 2023. Just recently, two thieves made off with over $1,500 worth of ice cream from a local store.

4. Red Deer, Alberta

Highest crime stats:

• Motor vehicle thefts: 633.5
• Traffic violations: 532.8
• Sexual assaults: 160.2
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 110.8

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

Red Deer’s wins include the second-highest improvement to overall CSI in 2023 and a steady reduction in crime since 2017. Despite these gains, it remains the motor vehicle theft, traffic violation, and sexual assault capital of Canada.

Red Deer’s most recent Annual Policing Plan hopes to further reduce crime by increasing prevention and improving training. In the meantime, police advise residents to lock their vehicles, remove all valuables from sight, and choose well-lit or well-secured parking spots.

5. Nanaimo, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Property crimes: 5,447.2
• Violent Criminal Code violations: 2,221.6
• Impaired driving offences: 339.0
• Drug violations: 183.1

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

Be wary on the deadly summer roads of Nanaimo, BC – the number of impaired-driving-related crashes in BC increases by 27% whenever the weather gets hot. RCMP Spokesman Gary O’Brien says the department had to eliminate its specialized traffic section following staffing shortages in recent years. That said, the team targeting repeat violent offenders remains active and effective.

6. Kelowna, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Assaults: 1,019.9
• Breaking and entering: 494.3
• Traffic violations: 358.1
• Homicides: 2.0

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

Kelowna, BC, ranks among the top 10 in 3 categories: non-violent crime, violent crime, and dangerous driving. Child pornography violations, breaking and entering into businesses, fraud, shoplifting, and sexual assault contributed most heavily to 2023’s overall CSI.

Community safety currently occupies 44% of the city’s annual operating budget. For 2025, the Kelowna/Okanagan RCMP detachment has pledged to create 24 new officer positions and contribute $130,000 to reducing response times in the Upper Rutland Business Area, among other things.

7. Moncton, New Brunswick

Highest crime stats:

• Violent incidents involving an intimate partner: 486.8
• Traffic violations: 453.3
• Impaired driving offences: 282.5
• Dangerous driving causing death or bodily harm: 2.67

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

According to our data, Moncton, NB, is home to the worst drivers in Canada. Almost 13% of the traffic tickets issued by the Codiac Regional RCMP from May 2023 – February 2024 were related to alcohol. Meanwhile, a pair of traffic stings conducted in August 2023 and 2023 showed the most common violations were speeding, failing to wear a seat belt, and using a handheld device while driving.

What can you do? If you see any dangerous or suspected impaired drivers, call 911. By reporting the vehicle, license plate, and direction of travel to the police, you can help the number of traffic offences continue their downward trend.

8. Vancouver, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Drug violations: 199.9
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 87.2
• Hate crimes: 16.3

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

Both the 2023 Public Report on Organized Crime and End Gang Life project support the strong link between illicit drugs and organized crime. Chinese triads, outlaw motorcycle groups, and youth street gangs are likely tied to the high rate of drug violations in Vancouver, BC – as well as the wave of opioid overdoses that has claimed 21,000+ lives since 2016.

Another grave concern is the 30% spike in hate crimes in 2023 compared to prior years. The Vancouver Police Department offers several ways to report a hate crime, confidential trauma support, and a toll-free victim information hotline.

9. Abbotsford–Mission, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Cybercrimes: 855.9
• Traffic violations: 445.1
• Impaired driving offences: 342.5

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

Cybercrimes are a growing problem nationwide, but the huge increase in Abbotsford, BC is especially worrisome. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security warns that the biggest tools in the scammer’s arsenal are threats, scams, and deception – if you get an email or phone call containing threats or the promise of easy riches, pause and reflect before acting rashly.

While you don’t need to live in Abbotsford to fall victim to cybercrime – nor do cybercriminals necessarily live in the area – the city’s CSI is still 33% higher than the national average. Thefts are particularly common, so lock up your valuables and practice being CyberSafe.

10. Edmonton, Alberta

Highest crime stats:

• Property crimes: 4,362.1
• Homicides: 3.1

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

Police in Edmonton, AB, report a 33% increase in the number of seized firearms and airguns over the past 4 years – plus a 50% spike in shootings – which they blame on organized crime. The violence is driven by trafficking, attempts to build a reputation, and conflicts powered by expansion and revenge.

Edmonton’s 2023–2025 Guns and Gangs Strategy includes a second Gang Suppression Team, investigations that disrupt gang supply networks, and counselling youth who have joined gangs but have yet to be arrested. In the meantime, residents can educate themselves and report suspicious activity using the EPS’ online gang resources.

The most dangerous province in Canada

By the numbers, moving to Nunavut is the most dangerous choice you can make. Its roads are dangerous, it has the second-highest number of hate crimes in the country, and its Crime Severity Index stands at a whopping 429.1.

While murder isn’t as common in Nunavut as in other territories, interpersonal violence remains a threat. Per 10,000 people, there were 62.4 sexual assaults, 529 violent incidents involving a partner, and 40.6 sexual violations involving children committed last year.

The numbers alone should be a call to action for the most dangerous provinces in Canada:

How we get our rankings

For this list, we looked at the 40 most-populated metropolitan areas in Canada. We chose 5 categories (non-violent crime, dangerous driving, violent crime, organized crime, and hate crime) and selected 1–5 key indicators to compare in each one.

From most to least used, we drew our data from:

• Statistics Canada
• The Global Organized Crime Index
• Transport Canada

The higher a city ranked against its neighbours, the more points it received. At the end of our research, we tallied all the points (applying equal weight to all 5 categories) to reveal the results.

Bonus: The 5 worst in 5 categories

If you want to know more about the data we consulted – and the worst offenders in each category – the next section is for you. You’ll recognize some repeat offenders from table to table… but others may surprise you.

1. Non-violent crime

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

With nearly 8,000 property crimes per 100,000 people in 2023, Kamloops, BC, is the non-violent crime capital of Canada. The most common violation is breaking and entering; studies in the UK suggest many burglars make a second visit in the next 10 days, making it important to repair any broken doors or windows quickly.

To obtain our non-violent crime rankings, we looked at each city’s Non-Violent CSI as well as the rate of non-violent property crimes, other criminal code violations, federal statute violations, and cybercrimes committed.

2. Dangerous driving

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

The data shows you should be especially vigilant while driving on country roads near Moncton, NB. Transport Canada reported that 52.1% of fatal collisions and 72% of collisions with personal injury occurred on rural roads in 2022.

To calculate the bad-driving capital of Canada, we looked at the rates of traffic violations, impaired driving, and dangerous driving committed in each city.

3. Violent crime

The most common violent crime committed in Chilliwack, BC in 2023 was Level 1 Assault, which usually doesn’t involve either weapons or bodily harm, followed by uttering threats. Both offences carry a maximum sentence of 5 years, although less than 10% of the latter resulted in charges.

Our rankings for the most violent cities in Canada take into account both the Violent Crime Severity Index and the rate of violent Criminal Code violations committed in 2023.

4. Organized crime

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

Due to the scarcity of hard data, organized crime was the only section in which we applied a weighted measurement. We ranked each city based on the rate of crimes committed with ties to organized crime and used expert reports to decide 50% of each city’s final score.

According to the RCMP, there are 2,000+ organized criminal groups currently operating in Canada. While outlaw motorcycle gangs proliferate from coast to coast, mafia-style groups tend to concentrate in Hamilton, Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal. A 2012 Report on the State of Organized Crime named Winnipeg as a hotspot for street gangs, while the 2023 Public Report on Organized Crime advised BC saw elevated levels of gang violence as a whole.

Following the data in both reports, we used the rate of weapons and drug production, trafficking, and distribution violations as a further indication of organized criminal activity in each city.

5. Hate crime

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2023.

While still rare, hate crimes are a growing problem in Canada. The rate of hate-motivated incidents in Ottawa rose by 20% in 2023, largely targeting Jewish and LGBTQ individuals.

While the majority are non-violent and involve mischief against property, their disproportionate effect on victims and the community at large make them a concern for all Canadians.

How to choose a safe city

According to our results, the 10 safest cities in Canada are:

• Saguenay, QC
• Guelph, ON
• St. Catharines–Niagara, ON
• Saint John, NB
• Windsor, ON
• Barrie, ON
• Sherbrooke, QC
• Ottawa - Gatineau, ON/QC
• Quebec, QC
• Hamilton, ON

But crime stats aren’t everything – especially when it comes to quality of life. For example, a 2017 survey found most Canadians believe provincial capitals to be the safest cities in the country, regardless of statistics. Picking the best place to live in Canada may have more to do with strong civic leadership than low crime rates.

And then there’s the link between media attention and public perceptions of safety. Violent crimes in major urban centres are amplified by the media and contribute to increased public perceptions of danger for a long time.

So, whether you’re picking a new place to live or managing your existing stress, it’s crucial to stay informed. Check 5-year crime statistics, resist sensationalizing media stories, and read local police reports to identify the most common crimes in your area and what you can do to prevent them. You’ll feel safer just for taking action.

You can also relax knowing Canada is one of the safest nations in the world. According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Canada ranks 33rd among 193 countries. The 2023 report noted the strength of Canuck governance and institutions but suggested adopting a national strategy against organized crime and addressing the lack of attention and funding for Aboriginal communities.

In 2022, the top 5 leading causes of death in Canada were cancer, heart disease, COVID-19, unintentional injury, and cerebrovascular disease. A city with quality healthcare facilities (and a healthy respect for safety at work and at play) may offer more long-term protection than one with low crime rates.

FAQ

Which city in Canada has the highest crime rate?

Kamloops, BC has the highest rate of property crimes in Canada, while Chilliwack, BC has the highest rate of violent offences.

Is Kamloops the crime capital of Canada?

Kamloops, BC, has the highest Crime Severity Index (165.33) and the highest rate of non-violent crimes in Canada. It ranks second among 40 Canadian cities for violent criminal offences.

Which city is the safest in Canada?

Factoring for overall crime, organized crime, and hate crimes, the safest city in Canada is Saguenay, QC.

What rank is Canada in crime rate?

According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Canada’s overall level of criminality ranks 160th among 193 countries.

Is Canada safer than the US to live?

The Global Organized Crime Index awarded Canada a criminality score of 3.88 (putting it in 160th place among 193 countries) and the US a score of 5.67 (putting it at #67). That said, according to the UNODC’s Global Study on Homicide 2023, the US’s homicide rate is more than 3x as high as Canada’s.