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In 2024, police-reported crime in Canada decreased overall, with the Crime Severity Index (CSI) falling for the first time since 2018. This decline was driven by significant drops in non-violent crimes like motor vehicle theft, but the violent crime severity index remained virtually unchanged. In 2023, violent crime rates in Canada were lower than in the U.S., though property crime rates were higher.  

Overall crime 

• Crime Severity Index (CSI): Decreased by 2% in 2024, the first decrease since 2018. 
• Violent Crime Severity Index: Stayed virtually unchanged in 2024. 
• Non-violent Crime Severity Index: Decreased significantly in 2024. 

Violent and property crime 

• Violent crime rate: In 2023, the violent crime rate was 252 incidents per 100,000 people, lower than the U.S. rate of 334. 
• Property crime rate: In 2023, the property crime rate in Canada was higher than in the U.S. 
• Firearm-related crime: The rate of firearm-related violent crime in 2023 was 22% higher than in 2018 and 55% higher than in 2013. 

Other important trends 

• Motor vehicle theft: Decreased by 17% from 2023 to 2024, following a three-year rise. 
• Homicide: There were 778 victims of homicide in 2023, a decrease from 2022. 
• Hate crimes: There were 4,777 hate crime incidents reported in 2023. 
• Organized crime: Organized crime groups are heavily involved in arms trafficking, often using methods like drones and online marketplaces to smuggle weapons.