10 most dangerous cities in canada

Introduction

Canada is often ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, but that doesn’t mean crime doesn’t exist here. Like every nation, Canada has cities that struggle with higher crime rates compared to others. Understanding which areas are considered more dangerous helps locals and newcomers make informed decisions about safety, travel, and even real estate.

In this article, we’ll explore the 10 most dangerous cities in Canada, based on crime severity indexes, violent crime reports, and local statistics available up to 2025. If you’re researching crime rates across Canada, also check out our detailed guide on Crime Rates in Canada for a broader picture.

How We Ranked These Cities

The rankings are based on several factors:

Crime Severity Index (CSI) published by Statistics Canada.
Police-reported violent crime (assault, robbery, homicide).
Property crime reports (break-ins, theft, vandalism).
Recent 2024–2025 data updates and regional news reports.

While Canada’s overall crime rate is low compared to global standards, these cities stand out for higher-than-average crime levels.

1. Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipeg has consistently been one of the cities with the highest violent crime rates in Canada. The city struggles with gang-related activities, drug-related offenses, and a relatively high number of assaults.

Key Stats (2025): Winnipeg’s CSI is well above the national average.
Common Issues: Vehicle theft, assaults, and organized crime.
Local Insight: While downtown Winnipeg is vibrant, certain neighborhoods experience higher crime levels, particularly at night.

2. Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thunder Bay often makes headlines for its high homicide rates per capita. Despite being a small city, it reports violent crime numbers that outpace larger metropolitan areas.

Key Stats: For years, Thunder Bay has been labeled Canada’s “murder capital.”
Common Issues: Alcohol-related violence and gang activity.
Local Insight: Authorities are working on community programs, but challenges remain.

3. Surrey, British Columbia

Surrey has grown rapidly and, with it, faced issues of violent crime, especially gang conflicts linked to drugs.

Key Stats: Surrey records high numbers of shootings compared to nearby Vancouver.
Common Issues: Drug trafficking, assaults, and gang violence.
Local Insight: While crime is neighborhood-specific, the city continues to work on anti-gang initiatives.

4. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Saskatoon is often ranked high on Canada’s CSI due to both property and violent crimes.

Key Stats: Crime Severity Index is consistently above national average.
Common Issues: Break-ins, drug use, and assault.
Local Insight: Suburban areas are safer, but inner-city neighborhoods have higher risks.

5. Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton, one of Canada’s largest cities, struggles with property crimes, gang activity, and violent offenses.

Key Stats: Rising violent crime in 2024–2025 reports.
Common Issues: Vehicle theft, robberies, and violent assaults.
Local Insight: The city has hotspots of crime, especially late at night in downtown.

6. Kelowna, British Columbia

Though Kelowna is known as a tourist and retirement hub, it has surprisingly high property crime rates.

Key Stats: Kelowna often ranks among the top in property crime.
Common Issues: Break-ins, bike theft, and drug-related issues.
Local Insight: Tourists are particularly targeted, making awareness important.

7. Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina continues to face violent crime and property crime issues, keeping it high on Canada’s dangerous cities list.

Key Stats: Both homicide and theft rates are higher than average.
Common Issues: Assault, robbery, and property-related crime.
Local Insight: Strong community policing has improved certain areas, but problems remain.

8. Brantford, Ontario

Brantford’s crime rate surprises many, but it has seen sharp rises in violent and property crime.

Key Stats: High CSI compared to Ontario averages.
Common Issues: Break-ins, theft, and assaults.
Local Insight: Crime is concentrated in a few neighborhoods rather than the entire city.

9. Sudbury, Ontario

Sudbury, a mining hub, has faced increasing crime linked to drug issues and property crime.

Key Stats: Above-average violent crime for its population size.
Common Issues: Drug trafficking, assaults, and home invasions.
Local Insight: Crime spikes are often linked to economic downturns.

10. Moncton, New Brunswick

Moncton rounds out the list with its rising property crime and violent crime rates.

Key Stats: Higher crime severity index than many Atlantic Canadian cities.
Common Issues: Break-ins, theft, and occasional violent incidents.
Local Insight: Despite crime issues, Moncton remains an important economic hub.

Is Canada Still Safe Overall?

Despite these rankings, it’s important to note that Canada is still among the safest countries in the world. The majority of Canadian cities enjoy low crime rates, and even in “dangerous” cities, many neighborhoods are safe and family-friendly.

Safety often comes down to awareness and lifestyle choices. Avoiding risky neighborhoods, staying alert at night, and practicing common-sense precautions make a big difference.

Conclusion

These are the 10 most dangerous cities in Canada in 2025. From Winnipeg to Moncton, crime challenges vary—some cities face gang violence, while others struggle with property crime. Still, Canada as a whole remains much safer compared to global averages.

If you want a broader look at Canadian crime trends, be sure to read our full post on Crime Rates in Canada.
Travel & Tourism In Canada