Most Dangerous Cities in Canada

With a Crime Severity Index (CSI) of 141.7 in 2024, the town of Chilliwack, BC, is one of the most dangerous cities in Canada. The runners-up include Kamloops, BC, at 129.9 and Winnipeg, MB, at 124.4. Both cities stand head and shoulders above the national average of 77.9.

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.

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 a sense of gang activity from the CSI. To get our rankings, we examined 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 score sheet for each city 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 2024.

1. Chilliwack, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Aggravated assaults: 20
• Breaking and entering: 508
• Property theft: 111
• Drugs trafficking, production, or distribution: 83
• Homicides: 6

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

Although Chilliwack, BC's crime rate fell 11% from 2023, it ranked highest on the Crime Severity Index – 1.75x the CSI of Greater Vancouver, which has 20x the population.

Mayor Ken Popove acknowledged the high crime rate ranking and mentioned that the city is using the 2021 Community Safety Plan to prevent crime, but said, "Unfortunately, despite our advocacy to provincial and federal governments for improvements to health care and court reform, we have not seen any meaningful changes."

That said, the Chilliwack RCMP Detachment has hired more officers, so the ratio of residents to officers has decreased in the past year.

2. Kamloops, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Aggravated assaults: 13
• Breaking and entering: 683
• Property theft: 186
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 77
• Homicides: 1

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

Kamloops maintains second place on the most dangerous cities list. Gang violence and drug use remain challenges for law enforcement, although the Kamloops RCMP Detachment has partnered with the province's gang-busting police unit.

Even though there's room for improvement, the partnership seems to be paying off, since the CSI rate for Kamloops dropped 21% from the previous year.

3. Winnipeg, Manitoba

Highest crime stats:

• Aggravated assaults: 163
• Breaking and entering: 5,862
• Property theft: 676
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 105
• Homicides: 43

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

New to our dangerous cities list is Winnipeg. While its CSI fell 4% last year, its high rate of homicides and drugs weighed more heavily. In fact, Winnipeg had the highest violent crime rate of any city and twice that of the national average.

A recent study found that criminal activity in Winnipeg was concentrated in the city centre. It suggested that high levels of poverty and socio-economic challenges in these neighbourhoods are behind the criminal activity.

4. Red Deer, Alberta

Highest crime stats:

• Breaking and entering: 478
• Property theft: 183
• Aggravated assaults: 20
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 45
• Homicides: 2

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

Red Deer's wins include the second-highest improvement to overall CSI in 2024 and an almost 47% improvement in its CSI since 2017. Despite these gains, motor vehicle theft and property crime remain high.

Red Deer's most recent Annual Policing Plan hopes to further reduce crime by increasing police presence and improving police response. 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. Kelowna, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Aggravated assaults: 14
• Breaking and entering: 1,126
• Property theft: 255
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 127
• Homicides: 2

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

Kelowna, BC, has consistently landed on the most dangerous cities in Canada, but city officials took a closer look at the criminals and crimes driving up the city's rate. They found that, "Property crime committed by chronic offenders is the most visible and disruptive form of criminal activity in Kelowna."

Community safety currently occupies 22% of the city's annual operating budget. One of the budget's performance metrics is caseload per officer. Caseloads peaked in 2022, with each officer responding to an average 835 service requests. That number is projected to fall to 559 per officer in 2026.

6. Thunder Bay, Ontario

Almost all of the cities on this year's most dangerous cities list saw their CSI rates drop from their 2024 levels. The exception is Thunder Bay, which saw its CSI rate increase by 8%, largely due to its high violent crime rate.

To combat crime, the city developed a community safety and well-being plan, began funding a mental health and addictions program, created a special police force to patrol social housing buildings, and increased the police budget by 9% for 2026.

Highest crime stats:

• Aggravated assaults: 26
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 19
• Breaking and entering: 432
• Property theft: 28
• Homicides: 8

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

7. Nanaimo, British Columbia

Highest crime stats:

• Property theft: 158
• Aggravated assaults: 5
• Breaking and entering: 463
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 88
• Homicides: 2

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

Nanaimo has seen its crime rates rise and fall over the last few years, with property theft crimes and drugs and alcohol contributing to incidents. That said, the city's CSI fell 16% from its 2023 level and dropped a few places on our dangerous cities list, suggesting that the city's law enforcement efforts are working.

8. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Highest crime stats:

• Breaking and entering: 1,965
• Property theft: 260
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 40
• Aggravated assaults: 148
• Homicides: 14

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

Saskatoon is another city that's new to the most dangerous cities list, despite seeing a 9% improvement in its CSI. The Saskatoon Police Service notes that although property crime decreased by 15%, violent crime ticked up by almost 3%. Remember that violent crime is weighted more heavily in the CSI.

That said, the police service saw an improvement in the number of cases it closed and says it's working more closely with community partners to tackle crime.

9. Lethbridge, Alberta

Highest crime stats:

• Aggravated assaults: 25
• Breaking and entering: 760
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 135
• Property theft: 178
• Homicides: 1

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

Lethbridge has struggled with high crime rates in recent years, but the city's police force developed a targeted action plan. In addition to implementing a geographical task force, the city has hired 38 new officers and 7 community police peace officers since 2024.

Their efforts appear to be working. Lethbridge Deputy Chief Gerald Grobmeier said, "The violent crime CSI decreased by almost eight per cent and non-violent crime, which is typically property crime, decreased by 23 per cent, with our year-end data showing notable reductions in break-and-enters, mischief, theft of motor vehicles, and vehicle theft."

10. Edmonton, Alberta

Highest crime stats:

• Property theft: 2,434
• Aggravated assaults: 419
• Breaking and entering: 7,230
• Producing, trafficking, and distributing drugs: 392
• Homicides: 36

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

Edmonton is clinging to its 10th-place spot due to high rates of drug use, theft, and breaking and entering. Despite these challenges, the city has adopted policies to target organized crime, incorporate community feedback, and provide transparency about crime rates.

For instance, 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 the Northwest Territories is the most dangerous choice you can make. While the majority of provinces and territories improved in terms of CSI, the Northwest Territories saw its CSI worsen by 9%.

In fact, the Northwest Territories CSI stands at a whopping 526.92, the highest it's ever been.

How we get our rankings

For this list, we looked at the 40 most-populated metropolitan areas in Canada and primarily relied on the Crime Severity Index compiled by Statistics Canada. It's a weighted score that places a higher emphasis on violent crimes, but also includes crimes like drug trafficking, organized crime, and hate crimes, in addition to non-violent crimes.

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 2024.

With over 6,000 property crimes per 100,000 people in 2024, 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 2024.

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

The high rates of death and bodily injury sustained in Quebec immediately jumped out at us, especially since rural roads often get a bad rap. The top 5 dangerous cities show you should be especially vigilant while driving in urban centres.

3. Violent crime

For 8 out of the past 9 years, Thunder Bay, ON has had the highest number of homicides in the country. Homicides are weighed heavily when determining a city's Violent Crime Severity Index, although our rankings also include the total number of violent criminal code violations.

4. Organized crime

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

According to the RCMP, there are 4,000+ organized criminal groups currently operating in Canada. Over half of these are involved in the production or distribution of drugs.

Due to the scarcity of hard data, organized crime was the only section whose cities we didn't rank by CSI. In a recent police study on gangs, organized crime, and firearms, the report noted that gathering data about gangs is notoriously difficult because gang characteristics and data are so city-specific. It went on to say that some police departments couldn't provide statistics about the sizes of gangs and that those details often change on a daily basis.

Because of these challenges, we listed the 6 urban areas known for gang activity that the police study highlighted.

5. Hate crime

All crime statistics reflect the rate per 100,000 people in 2024.

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 makes them a concern for all Canadians.

How to choose a safe city

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

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

But crime stats aren't everything – especially when it comes to quality of life. 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. There's been a longstanding perception that rural areas are safer than city centres, but crime data shows this isn't necessarily the case. Recent CSI studies have shown that the CSI for rural areas was 33% higher than for urban areas.

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 144th among 193 countries for criminality. The most recent report noted the strength of Canuck governance and institutions, but suggested adopting a national strategy against organized crime and addressing the lack of funding for fighting organized crime.

In 2024, the top 5 leading causes of death in Canada were cancer, heart disease, chronic lower respiratory diseases, 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?

Chilliwack, BC has the highest Crime Severity Index of any Canadian city in 2024. It's worth noting that Canada's overall CSI fell from 2023 to 2024, and Chilliwack's index dropped 11% even though it ranked top this year.

Is Kamloops the crime capital of Canada?

Although Kamloops, BC, had the highest Crime Severity Index and the highest rate of non-violent crimes in 2023, it has been dethroned by Chilliwack, which has a CSI of 141.7 (compared to Kamloops' 129.9).

What is the safest city in Canada?

Factoring for overall crime (including violent and non-violent crime), organized crime, and hate crimes, the safest city in Canada is Barrie, ON. Ottawa, ON is a close second, and Sherbrooke, QC almost tied with the capital.

What is Canada's rank in the crime rate index?

According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Canada's overall level of criminality ranks 144th among 193 countries. The country's criminality score has worsened in recent years, going from 3.66 in 2021 to 4.17 in 2025.

Is living in Canada safer than the US?

The Global Organized Crime Index awarded Canada a criminality score of 4.17 (placing it at #144 among 193 countries). The US; score of 5.87 puts it at #60. That said, according to the UNODC's Global Study on Homicide 2023, the US' homicide rate is more than 3x higher than Canada's. 76% of those deaths involved firearms.