The safest cities in Canada, according to the Crime Severity Index

Asheesh Moosapeta
Published: July 31, 2024

Statistics Canada maintains its nationwide database on the incidence and severity of crime in the country, known as the Crime Severity Index (CSI).

The CSI, unlike a traditional crime rate (which only counts the number of crimes), also uses police data to consider the seriousness of each crime—providing a more nuanced view of crime levels. To make the Index easier to interpret, scores are standardized to "100"(in a system similar to the Consumer Price Index), using 2006 as a base year. More serious crimes are assigned higher weightages, and thus impact the overall index score more, while less serious crimes are weighted less.

Newcomers to Canada can use the CSI to inform their decision on where to live, but it is essential to consider it along with other factors. The CSI should not be viewed in isolation, or as a definitive measure of an area's safety. Instead, it should be part of a broader analysis that includes the conventional crime rate, community safety data, demographic information, economic conditions, employment opportunities, income levels, housing conditions, etc.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

What are the safest areas in Canada, according to the CSI?

Averaging the data from 2019-2023, we can see that the cities that have scored the best in terms of all reported crime include:

  • Quebec City, Quebec, Overall CSI Score: 45.73;
  • Barrie, Ontario, Overall CSI Score: 47.71;
  • Toronto, Ontario, Overall CSI Score: 51.54;
  • Ottawa, Gatineau, All Parts, Overall CSI Score: 55.59;
  • Hamilton, Ontario, Overall CSI Score: 57.74;
  • St. Catherine’s, Niagara, Ontario, Overall CSI Score: 58.94;
  • Montréal, Quebec, Overall CSI Score: 59.98;
  • Halifax, Nova Scotia, Overall CSI Score: 66.92;
  • Kingston, Ontario, Overall CSI Score: 70.92;
  • St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Overall CSI Score: 72.92;
  • London, Ontario, Overall CSI Score: 73.71;
  • Victoria, British Columbia, Overall CSI Score: 75.40;
  • Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario, Overall CSI Score: 75.94;
  • Brantford, Ontario, Overall CSI Score: 77.09;
  • Calgary, Alberta, Overall CSI Score: 79.79;
  • Vancouver, British Columbia, Overall CSI Score: 90.74;
  • Edmonton, Alberta, Overall CSI Score: 105.16;
  • Regina, Saskatchewan, Overall CSI Score: 113.18;
  • Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Overall CSI Score: 114.85;
  • Kelowna, British Columbia, Overall CSI Score: 120.51; and
  • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Overall CSI Score: 125.82.

For provinces where CMAs were not measured under the CSI, the following data is available:

What does the CSI measure?

The Crime Severity Index (CSI) measures changes in the level of severity of crime in Canada on a yearly basis. Each crime is assigned a weight based on its seriousness, which is determined by the actual sentences handed down by courts across all provinces and territories. More serious crimes receive higher weights, which means they have a more significant impact on the index, while less serious offences receive lower weights.

The CSI can be further broken down into two main categories: the Violent Crime Severity Index and the Non-Violent Crime Severity Index.

  • The Violent Crime Severity Index: includes all violent violations reported in the Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR2). Examples include uttering threats, criminal harassment, and forcible confinement; while
  • The Non-Violent Crime Severity Index: encompasses all non-violent Criminal Code violations, including traffic offences, drug violations, and violations of all Federal Statutes.

Note: The CSI primarily considers crimes in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) in Canada. A CMA is formed by one or more adjacent municipalities around a population center (known as the core). A CMA must have a total population of at least 100,000 of which 50,000 or more must live in the core.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
Live Webinar: Canadian Banking Essentials: Helpful Tips for Newcomers
How the Canadian government supports newcomers with Canada Connects
A multicultural group of youths sit on the steps of a building in Toronto, laughing and socializing.
Live Webinar: Empowering Newcomer Success: Navigating Canada’s Job Market and Higher Education with WES Credential Evaluations
Man Watching Webinar and Taking Notes
How to move to Canada from the US
A picture of an arrivals to Canada sign at Pearson International Airport
Top Stories
Report identifies occupations set for salary increases in Canada in 2025
How to prepare for your Canadian citizenship test
Useful Tips to Save Money for Newcomers in Canada
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Sponsor Content
Useful Tips to Save Money for Newcomers in Canada
Live Webinar: Canadian Banking Essentials: Helpful Tips for Newcomers
Useful Information for Newcomers: Renting vs Buying in Canada
Live Webinar: Empowering Newcomer Success: Navigating Canada’s Job Market and Higher Education with WES Credential Evaluations
Man Watching Webinar and Taking Notes
Link copied to clipboard