Calgary 
A recent study by the Fraser Institute indicates that Canada’s rates of violent and property crime have risen significantly, now exceeding comparable rates in the United States. Authored by senior fellow Livio Di Matteo, the report highlights a concerning trend from 2014 to 2022.
Credit: Fraser Institute
From 2014 to 2022, Canada’s violent crime rate increased by 43.8%, reaching 434.1 violent crimes per 100,000 people. In contrast, the U.S. violent crime rate rose by only 5.3% during the same period, reaching 380.7 per 100,000 people. Adjustments were made to the data for comparability, focusing on murder, robbery, and assault with a weapon.
Property crime in Canada also saw a rise. The rate increased by 7.0% from 2014 to 2022, totaling 2,491.0 crimes per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the U.S. experienced a 24.1% decline in property crime, bringing its rate down to 1,954.4 per 100,000 people. This places Canada’s property crime rate 27.5% higher than that of the U.S.
Homicide rates present a similar pattern. Canada’s murder rate grew by 53.4%, from 1.5 per 100,000 people in 2014 to 2.3 in 2022. The U.S. homicide rate, although higher at 5.8 per 100,000 people, increased by 49.4% over the same period.
Key Findings:
- Violent Crime Rate: Canada’s violent crime rate is now 14.0% higher than the U.S., with 434.1 incidents per 100,000 people in 2022.
- Property Crime Rate: Canada reports 2,491.0 property crimes per 100,000 people, 27.5% higher than the U.S. rate of 1,954.4.
- Homicide Increase: Canada’s homicide rate rose by 53.4% from 2014 to 2022, reaching 2.3 per 100,000 people. The homicide rate in the U.S. is higher at 5.8 per 100,000 people.
Credit: Fraser Institute
“This idea that Canada is much safer than the United States is not supported by the data,” said Livio Di Matteo. “Rates of property and violent crime in Canada are now higher than south of the border.”
The study serves as the first chapter in an upcoming comprehensive analysis titled Comparing Recent Crime Trends in Canada and the United States: An Introduction. It aims to provide a detailed comparison of crime trends between the two countries.
“Crime rates in Canada, which are still historically low, are nevertheless rising and, in some cases, are higher than in the U.S., which should concern Canadians,” Di Matteo added.
The findings challenge the long-held perception of Canada as a more peaceful nation than its southern neighbour. With both violent and property crimes on the rise, the report suggests a need for Canadians to re-evaluate their views on national safety and consider policy responses.
