A recent report by Statistics Canada reveals a concerning trend of increasing firearm-related violent crimes in Canada, with an 8.9% rise per 100,000 people in 2022. This marks the highest rate since comparable data was first compiled in 2009, as stated in the report published on Tuesday.
The analysis, based on the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey and the Homicide Survey, points to Ontario as a significant contributor to the surge. The province reported 4,791 firearm-related violent crimes in 2022, an increase of 1,016 from the previous year, representing 70% of the overall rise in incidents across the country.
While Toronto experienced a three-year decline until 2022, reporting 2,576 crimes, the city witnessed a 36% increase in the rate of firearm-related incidents compared to 2021. Other cities in Ontario, such as Greater Sudbury, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, and Brantford, also recorded notable increases.
British Columbia and Alberta also played a role in the overall rise in firearm crimes. B.C. reported nearly 1,500 more crimes involving firearms in 2022, with notable increases in areas like Abbotsford-Mission, Victoria, and Vancouver. Alberta experienced a surge in firearm-related violent crimes, driven mainly by the largest urban centers like Edmonton and Calgary.
Saskatchewan maintained its status as the province with the highest rate of firearm-related violent crimes in 2022, despite a 7% decrease from the previous year. Among the country’s census metropolitan areas, Regina posted the highest rate and percentage of firearm-related violent crime.
The report underscores an increasing trend in firearm-related violent crime since 2013, with a 55% overall increase. Specific violent crimes, such as discharging a firearm with intent, pointing a firearm, and using a firearm during an offense, rose 120% across Canada during this period. The data also reveals double-digit increases in various types of firearms, including handguns, rifles or shotguns, and fully automatic firearms. Notably, the “unknown type of firearm” category saw a 76% increase between 2013 and 2022.