Canada experiences highest homicide rate in 30 years: Statistics Canada report
By Isaac Lamoureux
Data released by Statistics Canada shows the country is grappling with its highest homicide rate in three decades.
The police-reported crime statistics, as measured by the Crime Severity Index (CSI), were released on Monday, covering 2022. The overall police-reported crime has witnessed a 4% increase.
Last year, the national homicide rate surged by almost 8%, reaching 2.25 homicides per 100,000 population – an alarming figure not seen since 1992. This increase extends a four-year trend of rising homicide rates across the country.
There were 874 reported homicides across the country, 78 more than the previous year.
“Despite recent increases, homicides remain a rare event in Canada, accounting for less than 0.2% of all police-reported violent crimes,” reads the report.
Violent crime was up 5%, following a 6% increase the previous year. Robbery has increased by 15%, extortion by 39%, homicide by 8%, and level 1 sexual assault by 3%.