Canada is a beautiful, safe country with friendly people. However, not all the places in Canada get this level of safety. Some of its cities are highly under the onslaught of crime; hence, they have become a bother to those who seek immigration for a better life.
No country is perfect, and Canada is no exception. It has its problems, including a few locations known for having a relatively high crime rate.
Numbeo Data: Surrey, Canada, is the 56th most dangerous city in the world. Crime Index is rated at 70.8 (the lower the better), with a Safety Index of 29.2 (the higher the better).
So, throughout the course of this article, we will present the top 10 most dangerous cities in Canada from the least dangerous at #10 and work our way through to the most dangerous at #1.
These cities are considered unsafe places to be inhabited by many residents. We will use the latest data from 2023 to create our list.
Keep in mind, however, that while crime rates are higher in some cities than others, Canada is one of the safest countries in the Western world.
The beauty of the country, the communities that welcome people, and the opportunities which have been built into it by so many people annually make Canada a top destination. We now turn to the specific challenges facing each of these 10 cities.
The indexes of crime and safety help to throw in very important insight into the safety of Canadian cities: whereas the crime index relates to the overall level of crime in a city, the safety index reflects how safe people feel in that city while living or visiting.
Most Dangerous Cities in Canada for 2023:
In this article, we’ll dive into the most dangerous cities in Canada using Numbeo’s latest 2023 data for crime and safety indexes.
We’ll discuss the factors contributing to high crime rates in these cities and discuss safety concerns for residents and visitors.
+1 News‘s goal is to give you a well-informed perspective on Canadian city safety, helping you make educated decisions about where to live, work, or visit.
Overview:
The crime and safety indexes provide a very important insight into Canadian city safety. The crime index reflects a city’s overall crime level, while the safety index indicates how secure residents and visitors feel there.
Seven Canadian cities rank among the top 100 most dangerous places globally, as reported by the worldwide statistics database Numbeo.
The index scores are determined by factors such as violent and non-violent crime rates, drug use, corruption, and general safety. Based on the 2023 data, the following cities are considered the most dangerous in Canada.
Click to jump directly on any city:
What are the most dangerous cities of Canada for 2023?
1. Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey tops the list of the most dangerous cities in Canada, with a crime index score of 70.8, and a safety index score of only 29.2.
That’s a big number! It’s mostly because of drug crimes like possession and related assaults. These are serious issues that have many people worried.
The city has a high incidence of gang violence, property crime, and drug trafficking, which contributes to its high crime rate.
On the bright side, the city has taken measures to combat crime, including hiring more police officers and establishing programs to help at-risk youth.
2. Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is more than just a city halfway between Calgary and Edmonton. It’s known for its diverse culture and industries. But there’s a big concern: crime. In fact, Red Deer is one of Alberta’s most dangerous cities.
Red Deer’s crime index is high at 61.2 and a safety index score of 38.9.. Its total violent crime rate is 175.7, while nonviolent crimes measure 176.2. That’s many points above Alberta’s average.
Red Deer has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and robbery.
3. Lethbridge, Alberta
It has earned a spot among the most dangerous cities in Canada, with a Crime Index of 62.3. The city’s violent crime rate stands at 133.8, and the nonviolent crime rate at 154.0. These figures surpass Alberta’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) of 101.36, causing some concern for residents and potential visitors
Lethbridge has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and sexual assault.
4. Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna, located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, might not be what first comes to mind when considering the most dangerous cities. It boasts beautiful vineyards, sprawling parks, and a thriving cultural district.
Kelowna has a strikingly high crime index of 61.6. With a crime rate of 141.9, it significantly outpaces the average for British Columbia’s major cities. The city’s violent crime rate stands at 124.3, and the nonviolent crime rate is 148.0. In particular, the most reported crimes are theft and vandalism.
Kelowna has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, and also has a high incidence of drug use.
5. Sudbury, Ontario
Over the past three years, the VCSI reports a consistent decrease in minor offences in Sudbury, even as violent crime rates have risen.
Sudbury has a crime index score of 60.7. In 2021, it had the fourth-highest rate of murders in all of Canada.
Sudbury has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, as well as drug use and gang violence.
6. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie ranks sixth on the list, with a crime index score of 59.2 and a safety index score of 40.8. Its violent crime rate sits at 143.2, and its nonviolent crime rate measures 126.1.
The issues like assault and theft place it among the world’s top 100 most dangerous cities.
Sault Ste. Marie has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, and also has a high incidence of violent crimes such as assault and sexual assault.
Moreover, a worrying prevalence of drug-related activities, including usage and dealing, as well as vandalism, add to the area’s challenges.
7. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg, a lively city known for its culture and scenery, is Manitoba’s largest. Winnipeg ranks seventh on the list, with a crime index score of 59.1 and a safety index score of 40.9. Most serious crimes here are tied to gangs and drugs.
Winnipeg has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and robbery.
8. Oshawa, Ontario
With a crime index of 58.1, Oshawa is one of the most dangerous cities in Canada. Although its safety index is slightly higher than other cities on this list, residents still face a high risk of violent and property crime.
Most incidents relate to drug use and include acts like vandalism, minor theft, simple assault, and quick property thefts. In 2022, the city recorded a total of 15 murders.
Oshawa is a mid-sized city in Ontario, located on the shore of Lake Ontario, and has a population of over 175,000 people.
9. Kamloops, British Columbia
Kamloops, located in British Columbia with a crime index of 55.3 is one of the most dangerous cities in Canada. It has a violent crime rating of 132.9 and a nonviolent crime rating of 135.9.
Despite being known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities, it has been plagued by high crime rates in recent years. Property crimes are particularly common in Kamloops.
10. Hamilton, Ontario
With a crime index of 55.3, Hamilton ranks among the most dangerous cities in Canada. Located in Ontario, Hamilton has a population of over 570,000 people and has been struggling with rising crime rates in recent years.
Violent crimes, such as vandalism, theft, muggings, assault and robbery, are common in Hamilton.
Other notable cities with high crime rates in Canada include Brampton, London, Regina, Saskatoon, St. John’s, Edmonton, and Windsor.
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Most Unsafe cities worldwide: Is Your City on the List?
Seven Canadian cities are in the 100 most dangerous cities in the world, according to the global statistics database Numbeo. The index scores are made up of factors combining violent and non-violent crime rates, drug use, corruption, and safety. Below are the most dangerous cities of Canada as per the data of 2023.
There is an indication of high crime in various parts of the world; thus, it is very necessary to know which cities are considered dangerous.
Numbeo is a global crowd-sourced database of reported crime. Caracas, Venezuela, holds the dubious reputation of the most dangerous city in the world, with an index of crime at 83.4 and a safety index of only 16.6.
The top 5 are led by South African cities: Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Johannesburg.
Honduras’ San Pedro Sula, Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby, Afghanistan’s Kabul, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, and Alice Springs of Australia are also in the top 10.
Among the list were several US cities, such as Baltimore, Memphis, Detroit, New Orleans, Oakland, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Indianapolis.
It is important to consider the safety of the destination when planning a trip or moving to a new city.
The table below depicts the top 100 most dangerous cities in the world according to Numbeo.
| Rank | City | Crime Index | Safety Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caracas, Venezuela | 83.4 | 16.6 |
| 2 | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | 81.9 | 18.1 |
| 3 | Pretoria, South Africa | 81.9 | 18.1 |
| 4 | Durban, South Africa | 81.0 | 19.0 |
| 5 | Johannesburg, South Africa | 80.8 | 19.2 |
| 6 | San Pedro Sula, Honduras | 80.7 | 19.3 |
| 7 | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | 80.4 | 19.6 |
| 8 | Kabul, Afghanistan | 80.1 | 19.9 |
| 9 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 77.7 | 22.3 |
| 10 | Alice Springs, Australia | 77.3 | 22.7 |
| 11 | Fortaleza, Brazil | 77.1 | 22.9 |
| 12 | Natal, Brazil | 77.0 | 23.0 |
| 13 | Salvador, Brazil | 76.7 | 23.3 |
| 14 | Recife, Brazil | 76.3 | 23.7 |
| 15 | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | 76.3 | 23.7 |
| 16 | Port of Spain, Trinidad And Tobago | 76.2 | 23.8 |
| 17 | Baltimore, MD, United States | 75.8 | 24.2 |
| 18 | Rosario, Argentina | 75.5 | 24.5 |
| 19 | Memphis, TN, United States | 75.3 | 24.7 |
| 20 | Detroit, MI, United States | 74.2 | 25.8 |
| 21 | Cape Town, South Africa | 73.6 | 26.4 |
| 22 | Preston, United Kingdom | 73.2 | 26.8 |
| 23 | Porto Alegre, Brazil | 72.1 | 27.9 |
| 24 | Albuquerque, NM, United States | 71.9 | 28.1 |
| 25 | Guayaquil, Ecuador | 71.8 | 28.2 |
Conclusion:
While Canada is generally considered a safe country, there are several cities that have higher crime rates than others. Surrey, Lethbridge, Kelowna, and Red Deer are among the most dangerous cities in Canada based on crime statistics.
Residents of these cities face a higher risk of violent and property crimes compared to other Canadian cities. However, it’s important to note that crime rates can vary depending on factors such as population density, economic conditions, and policing strategies.
If you’re planning to visit or move to Canada, it’s important to research the safety of the cities you’re interested in. While crime can happen anywhere, being aware of the risks can help you make informed decisions about your safety and well-being.
Remember to always exercise caution and take necessary precautions, regardless of where you are in Canada.
