As 2024 progresses, homicide statistics across Canada’s major cities reveal both troubling trends and areas of relative peace. This mid-year review offers a snapshot of the current homicide rates, providing insight into the safety of various municipalities and the demographic distribution of victims.
Toronto, Ontario, leads the nation with a staggering 44 homicides reported so far in 2024, compared to 73 in the entirety of 2023. The vast majority of these victims are male, with 41 male victims and only 3 female victims recorded.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, follows with 20 homicides in 2024, already nearing half of last year’s total of 45. Like Toronto, the majority of the victims are male (18 males, 2 females).
Edmonton, Alberta, has also seen significant violence, reporting 19 homicides this year, with 16 male victims, 2 female victims, and 1 unknown victim. This compares to 43 homicides in 2023.
Calgary, Alberta, has reported 9 homicides in 2024, significantly lower than the 22 recorded in 2023. The victim distribution includes 6 males and 3 females.
Montreal, Quebec, stands out with 17 homicides so far, compared to 33 last year. The city’s victims include 14 males and 3 females.
Ottawa, Ontario, has experienced 13 homicides in 2024, just one short of last year’s total of 14. Victims are almost evenly split between genders, with 7 male and 6 female victims.
Several cities have reported lower homicide rates, maintaining a semblance of peace:
- Brantford, Ontario, and Windsor, Ontario, have both reported zero homicides so far in 2024.
- Markham, Ontario, has also seen no homicides this year, compared to 1 in 2023.
- Other cities with relatively low numbers include Halifax, Nova Scotia (4 homicides), Laval, Quebec (4 homicides), London, Ontario (2 homicides), and Thunder Bay, Ontario (2 homicides).
Detailed Homicide Data by City
| City | Murders in 2024 So Far | 2023 Total Murders | Male Victims | Female Victims | Unknown Victims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 44 | 73 | 41 | 3 | 0 |
| Winnipeg | 20 | 45 | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| Edmonton | 19 | 43 | 16 | 2 | 1 |
| Montreal | 17 | 33 | 14 | 3 | 0 |
| Ottawa | 13 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Calgary | 9 | 22 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Hamilton | 5 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Vaughan | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Saskatoon | 10 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Mississauga | 3 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Surrey | 5 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Brampton | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Laval | 4 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Halifax | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vancouver | 4 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Regina | 1 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Oshawa | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Thunder Bay | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Quebec City | 2 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| London | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Windsor | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brantford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Markham | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The mid-year statistics paint a diverse picture of public safety across Canada’s major cities. While some cities face significant challenges with high homicide rates, others remain relatively peaceful. To create a safer Canada, it is crucial to identify the underlying causes of homicides and develop effective, community-focused solutions. Continued efforts in crime prevention and public safety measures are essential to protect communities nationwide.