Crime in Canada

Crime in Canada has a relatively low level compared to other countries in the world. Compared to the CIS, it is much lower. According to the World Health Organization data for 2016, Canada ranked 65th in the world crime rate ranking. The country also shows a global trend towards a decrease in the number of violent crimes, replaced by economic crimes. People around the world are committing fewer rapes and murders, but more theft and fraud.

Nevertheless, Canadians still commit crimes that poison the lives of citizens and immigrants in the country. In this article, we have gathered answers to the most popular questions from people who want to immigrate to Canada.

Is it safe to live in Canada?

Canada is considered a relatively safe country to live in. Especially good are large and developed cities — there are fewer crimes there, and they are investigated much faster. 

However, even in the hospitable maple leaf country, you need to follow the usual safety rules. There are fewer petty thefts there — most likely, neighbors will not be interested in the package that the mailman left on your porch. But girls better not get into cars with strangers and not leave their drinks unattended in a nightclub. And of course, it is not worth highlighting your way with an expensive smartphone while walking at night in the local ghetto.

The main problem for our immigrants in Canada is the ubiquitous scammers who want to profit from their inexperience. We have released a video about how newcomers are scammed and even recorded an interview with a former criminal.

Is it safe for a child to walk alone in Canada? At what age can children be on the street without an adult in this country?

Overall, Canada is a good country for children where the surroundings do not pose a threat to them. However, it is always important to teach your child about street safety rules, provide them with a means of communication, and take into account the location where they are. For example, on the way home from school with friends, your child is unlikely to encounter any problems, and they can play with peers on the playground without any issues. However, it is best not to send a young child to a store that is located half a block away and has several difficult pedestrian crossings.

There is no single law in Canada that determines at what age children can be on the street without adult supervision. Each province and even each city has its own rules. However, in most cases, it is about the age of 12. We do not recommend leaving a child alone in public places younger than the age set by your province, no matter how mature and responsible they may seem. Otherwise, neighbors may report it, and the police may issue a fine to the parents.

Is the police effective in the country?

Yes, they are. Local police promptly register and investigate cases. You won't hear them saying the infamous phrase: "Come back when someone gets killed." If you get lost on the street or need help, you can confidently turn to the nearest police officer. If you file a complaint with the police, they will accept and register it. However, some provinces lack law enforcement officers. The good news is that local authorities are not sitting idly and are trying to attract new police officers.

Sometimes news about police racial prejudices appears in the press, which makes them more suspicious of Indigenous people or African Americans. This is not widespread, but unfortunately, it can sometimes be true. However, Canada's judicial and legislative systems protect residents and guests of the country from the arbitrariness of specific officials.

How often do hate crimes occur in Canada?

Not often, but they are not completely excluded. In recent years, there have been cases of attacks on people because of their race, nationality, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. In 2019, the Canadian police registered 1,813 hate crimes. This is not a lot for a country with a population of 39,327,300 people.

Usually, such conflicts are based on national or religious intolerance. Anglo-Saxons and Cree Indians, Jews and Arabs, local Christians of different denominations, and so on, may be hostile to each other. However, more often than not, problems are resolved peacefully or at least with the use of strong language, rather than physical violence.

Overall, Canada is a very tolerant country — it is a melting pot of different cultures that coexist on the principles of good neighborliness.

Is there freedom of speech in Canada?

Yes, of course. There are laws in the country that prohibit hate speech and incitement to unlawful acts, but the same measures apply in the CIS. No one forces you to love and support certain social groups, but you are obligated to respect their rights and express your disapproval in a respectful manner. For example, a hockey player of Russian descent recently refused to wear a jacket with LGBT symbolism for a game. The case was discussed in the media, but no one doubted the legality of the man's actions.

You can freely criticize other people or their groups while staying within the bounds of the law and decency. Canadians love to argue, and there are often verbal disputes between liberals and conservatives, Christians and Muslims, supporters and opponents of transgender athletes in women's sports, and so on. However, calling for someone to be beaten can result in serious punishment.

How is the crime situation in Canada in 2023?

It is too early to say anything concrete yet, as the police have not yet gathered all the necessary data. The number of violent crimes remains the same, but property crimes are more frequent — due to global economic instability, some Canadians are trying to get rich by illegal means. The country remains safe to live in. The main thing is not to give anyone your bank card and account information..