Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Canada (2025 Update)

Are some Canadian streets growing less safe each year? Many newcomers picture Canada as an oasis of peace, yet police data tell a more mixed story. While much of the country enjoys low crime, a handful of areas fall among the most dangerous and safest cities in Canada.

This 2025 update reviews the most dangerous cities in Canada, explains how we measure risk, and compares them with the safest communities nationwide.

Is There a High Crime Rate in Canada?

On the whole, Canada remains safer than many G-20 nations. The national police-reported crime rate sat at 5,843 incidents per 100,000 people in 2023, a modest three-per-cent increase from 2022.

Violent crime severity stayed almost flat, yet certain urban hubs logged sharp rises in assaults, break-ins, and vehicle theft. These outliers drive most headlines and shape our list of the most dangerous and safest cities in Canada.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Canada

Crime is not spread evenly. A short list of municipalities absorbs a large share of serious offences. Below, we profile the 10 most dangerous cities in Canada, ordered by the 2025 Crime Index published by Immigration News Canada. Each section runs close to 100 words and mentions recent crime rates.

1. Surrey, British Columbia

Surrey leads the rankings with a Crime Index of 64.7 and a Safety Index of 35.3. Police logged 32,053 service calls per 100,000 residents in 2023 and noted a 14 percent rise in violent offences in early 2025.

Assault remains the biggest category with 777 files, and robbery climbed to 85. Property crime fell 15 per cent, yet break-ins and vehicle theft still unsettle many households. Rapid growth, gang activity, and drug trafficking push Surrey to the top of every list of most dangerous cities in Canada.

2. Kelowna, British Columbia

Kelowna posts a Crime Index of 62.1. Statistics Canada shows 9,423 police-reported incidents per 100,000 people in 2023, down nine per cent from 2022, yet still fifth-highest among Canadian CMAs. Theft, vandalism, and drug offences dominate, especially downtown after dark.

Despite a small dip in severity, police visibility remains high, and business groups fund extra patrols. Community programs target prolific offenders and support addiction treatment, but the city still ranks second among the top 10 dangerous cities in Canada.

3. Greater Sudbury, Ontario

Sudbury records a Crime Index of 61.9 and violent crime that outpaces non-violent crime nearly two-to-one. Local police counted 3,222 violent offences in 2023, including assaults linked to substance abuse and economic hardship.

Homicide rates once ranked fourth-highest nationwide. While grassroots groups expand youth outreach and detox options, enforcement resources remain stretched across the large, low-density city, keeping Sudbury high on risk charts.

4. Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipeg posts a Crime Index of 60.5 with a Safety Index of 39.5. The city’s homicide rate reached 5.04 per 100,000 in 2023, second only to Thunder Bay among CMAs. Violent robberies and meth-fuelled assaults burden central neighbourhoods, and property theft remains persistent.

City hall funds expanded lighting, while Indigenous-led programs aim to steer youth away from gangs, yet overall crime holds Winnipeg firmly inside the top tier of risky places.

5. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie’s Crime Index stands at 60.2. Drug-related offences drive many incidents, and police report about 6,800 Criminal Code violations per 100,000 residents in the latest year.

Substance abuse, limited detox beds, and inter-provincial trafficking routes all raise pressure on local services. Joint RCMP and OPP teams now target cross-border smuggling, but residents still voice concern over break-ins and vehicle theft.

6. Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton registers a Crime Index of 55.8, up from 54.9 last year. Break-and-enter files surged, and auto theft is climbing along the Niagara-Toronto corridor. The city logged over 10,500 property crimes and 4,700 violent incidents in 2023, according to police dashboards.

Community policing units and CCTV expansion have begun to lower hot-spot activity, yet Hamilton’s dense downtown keeps it in sixth place on our danger list.

7. Brampton, Ontario

Brampton appears on the 2025 list for the first time with a Crime Index of 55.3. Peel Regional Police cited 9,100 criminal occurrences per 100,000 residents last year, with carjackings and home invasions trending upward.

Rapid urban sprawl and youth gang recruitment fuel much of the violence. The city has rolled out a SafeGrowth pilot, installing better lighting and funding youth sports, yet Brampton still ranks seventh among the most dangerous cities in Canada.

8. Kamloops, British Columbia

Kamloops records a Crime Index of 54.8 and a crime rate of 14,700 incidents per 100,000, the highest among B.C.’s interior cities. Opioid use and homelessness intersect with frequent shoplifting and assault.

Municipal council funds outreach teams and shelter beds, but residents continue to report theft from vehicles and public disorder, placing Kamloops eighth on this list.

9. London, Ontario

London posts a Crime Index of 53.9. Police counted roughly 8,900 criminal incidents per 100,000 residents in 2023, driven by property crime and a spike in arson.

Student neighbourhoods near Western University see late-night violence, while the opioid crisis strains emergency rooms. London’s safety score of 46.1 leaves it just inside the top ten most dangerous urban areas.

10. Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina rounds out the list with a Crime Index of 53.4. Violent gang conflicts keep assault and robbery rates high—police note over 1,400 violent incidents per 100,000 residents in 2023. Social inequality and housing shortages underpin many offences.

City leaders invest in community hubs and mental-health mobile units, yet Regina remains one of the worst places to live in Canada when safety is the only yardstick.

Full List of 20 Most Dangerous Cities in Canada

Beyond the top ten, several mid-sized centres also post elevated risk. The table below compares the 20 worst performers on the 2025 Crime Index.

How We Determine Canada’s Most Dangerous Cities?

Ranking risk is more than counting break-ins. We weigh several factors, and these benchmarks ensure each listing reflects both the quantity and severity of crime:

• Crime Index and Safety Index: Composite scores drawn from resident surveys and police data signal overall risk and comfort levels in daily life.
• Police-reported crime rate per 100,000: Standardises figures across different populations, showing how often residents face reported offences.
• Violent-to-property crime ratio: A higher ratio means residents encounter more assaults, robberies, or worse, which raises personal danger.
• Year-over-year trend: Rapid rises hint at emerging hot spots that need urgent attention.
• Drug and gang indicators: Opioid deaths, trafficking charges, and firearms offences add weight because they amplify community harm.
• Socio-economic stress: High unemployment, housing shortages, and poverty correlate with more theft and violence.

Crime Trends in Most Dangerous Cities in Canada

Looking at 2024–25 data, several clear patterns emerge. Let’s take a look at the trends at the worst places to live in Canada:

• Interior B.C. volatility: Kelowna’s index rose while Kamloops overtook it on raw crime rate, showing how quickly fortunes can flip.
• Prairie gang activity: Winnipeg and Regina struggle with gang-related assaults, keeping homicide rates above national averages.
• Ontario suburban surge: Brampton and Vaughan show rising carjackings as crime pushes outward from Toronto.
• Big-city resilience: Toronto and Montreal keep lower indices thanks to concentrated policing and social services, proving that size alone does not create danger.
• Safest-city stability: Quebec City, Oakville, and Burlington remain low-crime anchors, benefiting from strong social cohesion and well-funded community programs.

Safety Tips for People Living in Worst Cities in Canada

Even in high-risk zones, residents can cut their odds of victimisation. Following these steps lowers personal risk while helping communities gather solid crime data.

• Lock and light up homes: Solid deadbolts and motion lighting help prevent quick break-ins.
• Use secure parking: Park in lit, monitored lots to curb vehicle theft.
• Join a neighbourhood watch: Regular walks and shared messaging apps let police know trouble spots fast.
• Limit late-night travel alone: Plan rides or walk in groups in entertainment districts.
• Store valuables out of sight: Bag snatchers and smash-and-grab thieves move on when they see nothing to take.
• Report every incident: Police need full data to allocate patrols; even small theft reports matter.

Installing an outdoor security camera is a great way to keep an eye on your home in Canada. Check out Reolink wired & wireless models for peace of mind.

FAQs

What city in Canada has the most crime?

Surrey, British Columbia, carries the highest 2025 Crime Index at 64.7, reflecting the greatest mix of violent and property offences among major Canadian centres.

Which is the safest city in Canada?

Quebec City tops the 2025 safety list with a Crime Index of 22.2 and a Safety Index of 77.8, thanks to low violent crime and strong community engagement.

Which 10 cities have the highest crime rate?

Surrey, Kelowna, Greater Sudbury, Winnipeg, Sault Ste. Marie, Hamilton, Brampton, Kamloops, London, and Regina form the 10 most dangerous cities in Canada for 2025.

Conclusion

Canada’s overall crime picture remains moderate, yet pockets of high risk persist. Surrey, Kelowna, and Sudbury illustrate how rapid growth, drug markets, and social stress can elevate danger.

Meanwhile, Quebec City and Oakville prove that strong community bonds and proactive policing keep people safe. Staying informed, following practical safety steps, and supporting local prevention programs will help every resident, whether in the most dangerous cities in Canada or the safest, live with more peace of mind.