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Police-reported homicides hit a historic low last year, as Canada’s murder rate fell by eight per cent to its lowest level since 1966.
According to 2013 homicide figures released by Statistics Canada, police services reported 505 homicides last year — 38 less than 2012. The homicide rate fell eight per cent from 2012 to 1.44 victims per 100,000 population, the decrease due to 40 fewer homicides in Quebec after two years of more slayings than usual.
Homicide rates continued to be highest in the west and northern parts of Canada. Manitoba reported the highest at 3.87 per 100,000 population, followed by Saskatchewan (2.71), Alberta (2.04) and B.C. (1.66). Nunavut and the Northwest Territories reported rates higher than any province at 11.24 and 4.59. Yukon had no homicides for the third consecutive year.
Alberta recorded 85 homicides in 2012 and 82 in 2013. The early 1970s saw the highest homicide rates overall in Canada with more than three victims per 100,000 population.
Among Canada’s major cities, Regina reported the highest homicide rate at 3.84, followed by Winnipeg (3.24) and Thunder Bay (2.46).
Edmonton was fourth on the list with 2.09 and Calgary seventh with 1.75.
Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht noted two of the homicides last year occurred in correctional facilities within the city limits, which could have some impact on the numbers. The city has also seen the numbers drop significantly from the record breaking 48 homicides in 2011, even though Edmonton has grown by 60,000 people in the last two years.
“Our goal is to make Edmonton the safest major city in Canada. One homicide is too many,” said Knecht. “Violent crime is increasing only marginally due to significant assistance from Edmontonians who are taking ownership of crime issues that impact all of us.”
The statistics also said there were 131 firearm-related homicides in 2013, down 41 from the previous year, marking the lowest rate of firearm-related homicides since comparable data became available in 1974. Despite the decline, shootings accounted for 27 per cent of all homicides in Canada and stabbings accounted for 40 per cent.
So far this year, Edmonton has recorded 23 homicides, including a man shot by police in early May. The city had 28 slayings the previous year, not including a man who died after he was zapped with a Taser by police.
Agencies/Canadajournal
