Behind the often serene portrait of Canada lies a sobering crime report for 2022, revealing an 11% spike in homicides fueled by gun violence and intimate partner killings, while property crimes surged and fraud reached new levels of sophistication.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Canada reported 778 homicides, a rate of 1.94 per 100,000 population, marking an 11% increase from 701 in 2021
- The national homicide rate in Canada for 2022 was 1.94 victims per 100,000 population, with firearm-related homicides accounting for 44% of total homicides
- From 2019 to 2022, homicides involving intimate partners increased by 27%, with 118 victims reported in 2022
- Police-reported sexual assault rate was 88 per 100,000 in 2022, up 21% from 2019
- In 2022, 25,630 sexual assaults reported to police, with 98% targeting females
- Sexual assault rate for girls aged 12-17 was 127 per 100,000 in 2022
- In 2022, total thefts under $5,000 reported: 635,000 incidents, rate of 1,582 per 100,000 population
- Motor vehicle thefts surged 25% in 2022 to 90,000 incidents, rate 224 per 100,000
- Break and enter incidents: 123,000 in 2022, down 5% from 2021 but up 20% from 2015
- In 2022, opioid trafficking incidents: 15,000 police-reported, up 50% since 2018
- Cannabis possession offences: 5,200 in 2022 post-legalization, down 85% from 2017
- Trafficking/possession intent cocaine: 4,500 incidents in 2022
- Firearm discharges reported: 4,000 in 2022, up 20% from 2021
- Total firearms offences: 12,500 in 2022, rate 31 per 100,000, up 31% since 2013
- Unauthorized possession of firearm: 7,200 incidents in 2022
Canada saw rising crime rates in 2022, including more homicides, violent offenses, and property theft.
Drug and Substance Offences
1In 2022, opioid trafficking incidents: 15,000 police-reported, up 50% since 2018
Verified2Cannabis possession offences: 5,200 in 2022 post-legalization, down 85% from 2017
Verified3Trafficking/possession intent cocaine: 4,500 incidents in 2022
Verified4Methamphetamine trafficking: 2,800 cases in 2022, up 20%
Directional5Heroin possession: 1,200 incidents in 2022
Single source6Drug Severity Index rose 5% to 95.2 in 2022, driven by opioids
Verified7Total drug offences: 25,000 in 2022, stable since 2020
Verified8Fentanyl seizures by RCMP: 15 kg in 2022, up from 2 kg in 2016
Verified9Cocaine seizures: 1,200 kg by RCMP in 2022
Directional10Cannabis production offences: 900 in 2022
Single source11Toronto drug trafficking arrests: 2,500 in 2022
Verified12Vancouver drug offences: 3,200 in 2022
Verified13Calgary methamphetamine incidents: 450 in 2022
Verified14Edmonton opioid-related arrests: 1,100 in 2022
Directional15Montreal cocaine trafficking: 800 cases in 2022
Single source16Ottawa drug possession: 650 incidents in 2022
Verified17Winnipeg fentanyl seizures: 20 kg in 2022
Verified18Halifax drug trafficking: 300 arrests in 2022
Verified19Impaired driving by drugs: 12,000 charges in 2022
Directional20Synthetic opioid trafficking up 60% in Prairies 2022
Single source21BC drug offence rate: 250 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified22Alberta trafficking incidents: 2,900 in 2022
Verified23Saskatchewan meth possession: 1,200 in 2022
Verified24Manitoba drug seizures value: $50 million in 2022
Directional25Quebec cannabis offences: 1,500 post-legalization in 2022
Single source26Ontario heroin trafficking: 900 cases in 2022
VerifiedDrug and Substance Offences Interpretation
In Canada's drug enforcement landscape, we've traded a war on pot for a full-blown siege by opioids, where the tragic surge in deadly synthetic trafficking starkly contrasts the peaceful surrender of cannabis charges.
Firearms and Weapons Crimes
1Firearm discharges reported: 4,000 in 2022, up 20% from 2021
Verified2Total firearms offences: 12,500 in 2022, rate 31 per 100,000, up 31% since 2013
Verified3Unauthorized possession of firearm: 7,200 incidents in 2022
Verified4Pointing a firearm: 1,100 cases in 2022
Directional5Firearm use in commission of offence: 2,300 in 2022
Single source6Weapons violation severity index up 15% in 2022
Verified7RCMP seized 1,200 prohibited firearms in 2022
Verified8Handgun seizures: 2,500 by police in 2022
Verified9Toronto gun calls: 3,500 discharges/seizures in 2022
Directional10Vancouver weapons offences: 1,200 in 2022
Single source11Calgary firearm trafficking: 150 arrests in 2022
Verified12Edmonton gun seizures: 400 in 2022
Verified13Montreal weapons violations: 900 in 2022
Verified14Ottawa prohibited weapons: 250 seizures in 2022
Directional15Winnipeg firearms offences: 800 in 2022
Single source16Halifax weapon possession: 200 incidents in 2022
Verified17Explosives offences: 50 reported in 2022
Verified18BC handgun recoveries: 450 in 2022
Verified19Alberta firearm discharges: 600 in 2022
Directional20Saskatchewan weapons trafficking: 100 cases in 2022
Single source21Manitoba prohibited firearms: 300 seized in 2022
Verified22Quebec pointing firearm: 200 incidents in 2022
Verified23Ontario unauthorized possession: 3,500 in 2022
VerifiedFirearms and Weapons Crimes Interpretation
Canada's crime statistics paint a picture of a country where firearm offenses are not only growing at an alarming rate, but have become a disturbingly normalized part of the criminal landscape from coast to coast.
Fraud and Cyber Crime
1Total fraud incidents: 75,000 in 2022, rate 186 per 100,000, up 12% from 2021
Verified2Identity fraud: 25,000 cases in 2022
Verified3Cybercrime reported: 15,000 hacking-related in 2022, up 25%
Verified4Fraud Severity Index: 120.5 in 2022, highest since 2009
Directional5Phishing scams: 10,000 complaints to Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in 2022, losses $50M
Single source6Investment fraud losses: $200 million reported in 2022
Verified7Romance scams: 1,500 victims, $40M losses in 2022
Verified8Toronto fraud reports: 12,000 in 2022
Verified9Vancouver cyber fraud: 2,100 in 2022
Directional10Calgary identity theft: 1,800 cases in 2022
Single source11Edmonton fraud: 3,500 incidents in 2022
Verified12Montreal cybercrimes: 4,000 in 2022
Verified13Ottawa hacking: 900 reports in 2022
Verified14Winnipeg fraud losses: $10M in 2022
Directional15Halifax scams: 800 complaints in 2022
Single source16Grandparent scams: 500 cases, $3M losses in 2022
Verified17Cryptocurrency fraud: $30M losses in 2022
Verified18BC fraud rate: 250 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified19Alberta identity fraud: 2,500 in 2022
Directional20Saskatchewan cyber incidents: 400 in 2022
Single sourceFraud and Cyber Crime Interpretation
Canada's fraud landscape in 2022 is a masterclass in modern villainy, proving that while bank robbers needed a getaway car, today's criminals simply need a convincing email and a broken heart to make off with our cash and dignity.
Property Crime Statistics
1In 2022, total thefts under $5,000 reported: 635,000 incidents, rate of 1,582 per 100,000 population
Verified2Motor vehicle thefts surged 25% in 2022 to 90,000 incidents, rate 224 per 100,000
Verified3Break and enter incidents: 123,000 in 2022, down 5% from 2021 but up 20% from 2015
Verified4Total property crimes: 1.2 million reported in 2022, rate of 2,997 per 100,000
Directional5Property Crime Severity Index (PCSI) rose 15% to 127.4 in 2022
Single source6Shoplifting under $5,000: 105,000 incidents in 2022, rate 262 per 100,000
Verified7Theft of $5,000+: 14,000 cases in 2022, rate 35 per 100,000
Verified8Possession of stolen goods: 18,000 incidents in 2022
Verified9Toronto motor vehicle thefts: 12,000 in 2022, up 50% from 2021
Directional10Break-ins in residences: 36,000 in 2022, rate 90 per 100,000 households
Single source11Commercial break and enter: 47,000 in 2022
Verified12Vancouver thefts: 28,000 in 2022
Verified13Auto theft clearance rate: 13% nationally in 2022
Verified14Calgary break and enters: 8,500 in 2022
Directional15Edmonton theft under $5,000: 22,000 in 2022
Single source16Montreal property crimes: 95,000 in 2022
Verified17Ottawa thefts: 15,000 motor vehicles stolen in 2022 regionally
Verified18Winnipeg break-ins: 5,200 in 2022
Verified19Halifax shoplifting: 3,100 incidents in 2022
Directional20National bike thefts estimated at 100,000 annually, reported 20,000 in 2022
Single source21Quebec theft rate: 1,200 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified22Alberta motor vehicle thefts: 18,000 in 2022, highest per capita
Verified23BC break and enter rate: 200 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified24Saskatchewan thefts: high rate of 3,500 per 100,000 in 2022
Directional25Manitoba property crime rate: 4,200 per 100,000 in 2022
Single sourceProperty Crime Statistics Interpretation
It appears Canadians are diligently practicing property redistribution, but unfortunately, the national consensus is that we'd really prefer to keep our own stuff.
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
1Police-reported sexual assault rate was 88 per 100,000 in 2022, up 21% from 2019
Verified2In 2022, 25,630 sexual assaults reported to police, with 98% targeting females
Verified3Sexual assault rate for girls aged 12-17 was 127 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified4Family violence incidents reported: 119,000 in 2022, 28% increase since 2019
Directional5Intimate partner violence victims: 77,000 in 2022, rate of 192 per 100,000 adults
Single source6In 2022, 46% of family violence victims were children under 18
Verified7Police-reported spousal violence: 89,000 incidents in 2022, 80% female victims
Verified8Sexual assault clearance rate by police was 41% in 2022
Verified9Level 1 sexual assaults comprised 84% of total sexual assaults in 2022, totaling 21,600 cases
Directional10Indigenous women faced sexual assault rate 3 times higher than non-Indigenous in 2022
Single source11Domestic violence calls in Toronto: 88,000 in 2022
Verified12In 2022, 12% of violent crimes were family-related, up from 10% in 2015
Verified13Sexual violations against children under 12: 3,200 incidents in 2022
Verified14Vancouver reported 1,200 family violence incidents in Q1 2023 alone
Directional15National rate of police-reported intimate partner violence homicide: 0.22 per 100,000 in 2022
Single source1664% of spousal violence victims were current or former partners in 2022
Verified17Calgary Police reported 15,000 domestic incidents in 2022
Verified18Sexual assault reporting rate estimated at 5-10% of actual occurrences per GSS 2019
Verified19In 2022, 22% of sexual assault victims were assaulted by family members
Directional20Edmonton domestic violence: 12,500 calls in 2022
Single source21Police-reported child maltreatment in family violence: 15% of cases in 2022
Verified22Level 2 sexual assaults: 2,900 cases in 2022, rate 7 per 100,000
Verified23Montreal reported 9,000 family violence incidents in 2022
Verified24Aggravated sexual assault (Level 3): 330 cases in 2022
Directional25Ottawa domestic assaults: 7,200 in 2022
Single source2635% of sexual assaults occurred at or near victim's home in 2022
Verified27Winnipeg family violence: 18,000 incidents in 2022
Verified28Police-reported uttering threats in family context: 25,000 in 2022
Verified29Halifax domestic violence reports: 4,500 in 2022
DirectionalSexual Assault and Domestic Violence Interpretation
Behind every one of these escalating statistics is a person whose safety was stolen, revealing a national crisis where the most common violent crime is often committed in the very places we are supposed to feel most secure.
Violent Crime Statistics
1In 2022, Canada reported 778 homicides, a rate of 1.94 per 100,000 population, marking an 11% increase from 701 in 2021
Verified2The national homicide rate in Canada for 2022 was 1.94 victims per 100,000 population, with firearm-related homicides accounting for 44% of total homicides
Verified3From 2019 to 2022, homicides involving intimate partners increased by 27%, with 118 victims reported in 2022
Verified4In 2022, British Columbia had the highest homicide rate at 2.99 per 100,000, with 149 homicides reported
Directional5Canada's homicide victimization rate for Indigenous people was 7.33 per 100,000 in 2022, six times higher than non-Indigenous at 1.69 per 100,000
Single source6In 2022, 40% of homicide victims were killed by acquaintances, 26% by family members, and 20% by strangers
Verified7Firearm homicides rose 37% from 253 in 2020 to 347 in 2022
Verified8In 2022, Alberta reported 126 homicides, a rate of 2.80 per 100,000 population
Verified9Gang-related homicides accounted for 192 cases in 2022, 25% of total homicides
Directional10Youth homicide victims (12-17 years) numbered 51 in 2022, rate of 2.62 per 100,000 youth population
Single source11In 2022, Ontario had 213 homicides, rate of 1.41 per 100,000
Verified12Smothering, strangling, and beating caused 35% of homicides in 2022
Verified13Canada's homicide rate for males was 3.25 per 100,000 vs 0.68 for females in 2022
Verified14Quebec reported 89 homicides in 2022, rate of 1.01 per 100,000
Directional15Multiple-victim homicides occurred 44 times in 2022, resulting in 101 victims
Single source16In 2022, Saskatchewan's homicide rate was 4.69 per 100,000 with 54 homicides
Verified17Homicides solved by police clearance rate was 69% in 2022
Verified18Manitoba had 68 homicides in 2022, rate of 5.02 per 100,000
Verified19Child homicide victims under 12 numbered 37 in 2022, mostly by family
Directional20In 2022, Nunavut's homicide rate was 13.81 per 100,000 with 5 homicides
Single source21Senior homicide victims (65+) rate was 1.11 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified22Northwest Territories reported 7 homicides in 2022, rate of 15.87 per 100,000
Verified23Yukon had 3 homicides in 2022, rate of 6.82 per 100,000
Verified24Homicides by shooting increased 42% from 2021 to 2022
Directional25In 2022, 118 women were killed by intimate partners, 62% of female homicide victims
Single source26Police-reported violent crime rate rose 31% from 2015 to 2022 to 1,165 incidents per 100,000
Verified27Violent Crime Severity Index (VCSI) reached 99.5 in 2022, up 38% since 2015
Verified28Total violent crimes reported to police: 436,000 in 2022
Verified29Robbery rate increased 17% in 2022 to 66 per 100,000 population
Directional30In 2022, police-reported assaults totaled 295,000 incidents, rate of 734 per 100,000
Single source31Level 3 aggravated assaults rose 31% from 2021 to 2022
VerifiedViolent Crime Statistics Interpretation
The statistics paint a grimly detailed portrait of Canada's safety: while the national homicide rate of 1.94 per 100,000 might suggest a peaceful veneer, this cold comfort shatters when you see the staggering 37% spike in gun homicides since 2020, the sixfold higher victimization rate for Indigenous people, and the deeply troubling 27% rise in intimate partner killings, reminding us that the gravest dangers often lurk in familiar places rather than shadowy streets.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATCANwww150.statcan.gc.caVisit source
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- Reference 3TPStps.caVisit source
- Reference 4VPDvpd.caVisit source
- Reference 5CALGARYPOLICEcalgarypolice.caVisit source
- Reference 6EDMONTONPOLICEedmontonpolice.caVisit source
- Reference 7SPVMspvm.qc.caVisit source
- Reference 8OTTAWAPOLICEottawapolice.caVisit source
- Reference 9WINNIPEGwinnipeg.caVisit source
- Reference 10HALIFAXhalifax.caVisit source
- Reference 11RCMP-GRCrcmp-grc.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 12PUBLICSAFETYpublicsafety.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 13ANTIFRAUDCENTRE-CENTREANTIFRAUDEantifraudcentre-centreantifraude.caVisit source