National Crime Rate in Canada Continues To Go Down
Canadian crime statistics for 2007 show the national crime rate in Canada dropped seven percent, down for the third consecutive year and continuing a downward trend since it peaked in 1991. Statistics Canada reports that the decline in police-reported crimes was primarily due to fewer counterfeiting and high-volume property offences such as thefts of $5,000 and under, break-ins and car thefts.
There were also fewer murders, attempted murders, sexual assaults and robberies in 2007.
The national crime rate went down in all provinces and territories in 2007, although the crime rates continued to be highest in western Canada and the territories. Saskatchewan had the distinction of the highest overall crime rate and the highest violent crime rate.
The national crime rate for youths between the ages of 12 and 17 also went down slightly in 2007.
Murder Rate in Canada
The national murder rate in Canada went down for the second year in a row. In general it has been declining since the mid 1970s. In 2007 there were 594 homicides reported by police in Canada, down from 606 in 2006. Declines in homicides were reported in every province in Canada, except in Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. Manitoba had the highest murder rate of the provinces and also reported a large increase in the rate of attempted murders. The murder rates in British Columbia and Quebec were at their lowest in over 40 years.
Rates of Robberies in Canada
The robbery rate in Canada went down about five percent in 2007, and has remained stable since 2000. The rate of armed robberies in Canada in 2007 decreased 12 percent in 2007 to its lowest level in 30 years.
Property Crime Also Down in 2007
The rate of residential break-ins reported by police in 2007 decreased by nine percent in 2007. Business break-ins went down nine percent. Statistics Canada says the rate of break-ins has reached its lowest level in 40 years, most likely because of the increased use of home security devices.
The rate of motor vehicle thefts continued to go down, with a nine percent decrease in 2007. There were an average of 400 motor vehicle thefts per day in Canada in 2007. Again, an increased use of security devices has played a part in the declining rate.
Impaired Driving and Drug Offences
Impaired driving and drug offences is one category in which the crime rate went up in 2007. Statistics Canada points out that local police enforcement practices influence the rate of these offences more than other crimes.
The impaired driving rate went up three percent in 2007, mostly due to an increase in Alberta of 19 percent. In spite of this increase, in general impaired driving rates have been going down in Canada over the last 25 years.
The rate of drug offences went up four percent in 2007, mainly due to marijuana possession offences, which made up about half of all drug offences reported by police in Canada.
More Canadian Crime Statistics