A new report confirms what Canadians have seen on their streets: Crime is on the increase and we have no reason to be smug in our comparison to the U.S.
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A preview of the Fraser Institute report concludes that, from 2014-2022, rates of both violent crime and property crime, adjusted by population, have been increasing in Canada and now surpass comparable crime rates in the U.S.
“Canada, relative to the United States, with its national identity mantra of ‘Peace, Order and Good Government,’ versus the American counterpart of ‘Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,’ has often felt comfortably self-assured that it is a peaceable kingdom marked by less crime,” author Livio Di Matteo says in the report.
“However, while relative to Canada, crime rates are higher in the U.S. for homicides and violent crimes (once adjusted for comparability), they historically have been more similar in the case of property crime.”
Any Canadian who reads a newspaper has seen the shift. Every day brings news of new violent crime. Carjackings and home invasions are commonplace, often committed by repeat offenders released on bail.
In the Toronto area recently, video footage emerged of a shooter aiming at passing cars on Hwy. 401 — the country’s busiest highway. Bullet holes were reported in at least 10 of those vehicles. Police later arrested the alleged perpetrator after another violent incident in which an innocent bystander was shot and seriously injured. The suspect was allegedly out on bail for a violent robbery and a gun prohibition.
The Fraser Institute reports the number of murders in this country increased from 1.5 per 100,000 in 2014 to 2.3 in 2022. That’s a 53% increase. At 5.8 per 100,000, the U.S. continues to have a higher homicide rate than Canada. It increased 49% in the same time frame. Canada’s violent crime rate increased by 44% — to 434.1 violent crimes per 100,000 people. That’s higher than the U.S., which only increased 5% over the same period, to 380.7 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
Fair enough, percentages can be misleading. But we see evidence every day in our communities. It’s time to stop fooling ourselves. We’re losing control of our streets and it’s time to get tough on crime.