Homicide in Canada, 2012

Released: 2013-12-19

Police recorded 543 homicides in Canada in 2012, 55 fewer than the previous year. The homicide rate in 2012 was 1.56 victims per 100,000 population, down 10% from 2011 and the lowest homicide rate recorded since 1966.

Chart 1 
Homicides, Canada, 1961 to 2012

The majority of the decrease in homicides in 2012 was accounted for by three provinces: Alberta (-24), British Columbia (-16) and Saskatchewan (-9), which, combined, accounted for 49 fewer homicides. Quebec (+3), the Northwest Territories (+2) and Ontario (+1) were the only provinces and territory to report an increase in the number of homicides in 2012.

Despite declines, homicide rates were typically highest in the western and northern parts of the country. In 2012, the homicide rate was highest in Nunavut (14.84 per 100,000 population). Among the provinces, Manitoba continued to record the highest homicide rate at 4.10 per 100,000 population, followed by Saskatchewan (2.69 per 100,000 population). The homicide rate in British Columbia (1.54 per 100,000 population) was the lowest rate recorded in the province since data collection began in 1961, and for the first time, the province's rate was similar to the national rate.

Among census metropolitan areas (CMAs), Thunder Bay, with seven homicides in 2012, reported the highest homicide rate in 2012, followed by Winnipeg, Regina and Halifax. For the second year in a row, both Moncton and Kingston recorded no homicides; Guelph, Brantford and St. John's also had no homicides in 2012.

Firearm-related homicides increase in 2012, despite overall decline

Despite an overall decrease in the number of homicides committed in 2012, fatal shootings increased from 158 victims in 2011 to 172 victims in 2012. Even though the number of shootings increased in 2012, the rate of firearm-related homicides remained among the lowest in almost 50 years. As has been the case for the past 20 years, handguns continued to account for the majority (65%) of homicides involving firearms in 2012.

In contrast, there were 40 fewer fatal stabbings in 2012, down from 204 victims in 2011 to 164 victims in 2012.

Shootings (33%) and stabbings (31%) were the most common methods used to commit homicide in 2012. For the first time since data became available in 1997, there were no homicides from Shaken Baby Syndrome in 2012.

Gang-related homicides unchanged in 2012 from previous two years

Police considered 95 homicides to be gang-related in 2012, unchanged from the previous two years. The rate of gang-related homicide remained stable for the third year in a row at 0.27 victims per 100,000 population. Prior to this, gang-related homicides had generally been increasing since the early 1990s, until peaking in 2008.

Saskatchewan reported the highest rate of gang-related homicide in 2012, nearly triple the national rate. Among CMAs, the rate of gang-related homicide was highest in Saskatoon, followed by Thunder Bay and Regina.

In 2012, three-quarters of gang-related homicides were committed using a firearm. The majority (68%) of gang-related homicides in 2012 had ties to the illegal drug business, typically cocaine. Most gang-related homicides were motivated by a settling of accounts (70%) or financial gain (14%).

Most victims knew their killer

Homicide victims typically knew their killer. Among solved homicides in 2012, 84% of homicide victims were killed by someone they knew, usually an acquaintance or a family member. The number of homicides committed by strangers decreased slightly from 2011 to 2012, resulting in the lowest rate of homicide committed by a stranger in more than 40 years.

Intimate partner homicides stable in 2012

Police reported 82 intimate partner homicides in 2012, with the majority (83%) involving a female victim. The rate of intimate partner homicide in 2012 was consistent with rates recorded over the previous five years. Rates of intimate partner homicide continued to be higher for females than males, regardless of the age group.

Of the intimate partner homicides in 2012, just under one-half (46%) were committed by a current or former legally married spouse, while about one-quarter (27%) were committed by a current or former common-law partner. The remainder of intimate partner homicides were committed by either some other type of intimate partner such as a current or former dating partner (22%), or a same-sex partner (5%).

Fewer youth accused of homicide

Of those accused of homicide in 2012, 7%, or 34 accused persons, were youth (12 to 17 years). There were fewer homicides committed by both male and female youth in 2012 than the previous year. The rate of youth accused of homicide decreased to 1.42 per 100,000 youth population in 2012, the lowest rate in over a decade.

In 2012, the rate of female youth accused of homicide reached its lowest point in more than 40 years, while the rate for male youth accused was at its lowest point in about a decade. The rate of youth accused of homicide remained higher for male youth than female youth.

The Juristat article "Homicide in Canada, 2012" (Catalogue number85-002-X) is now available. From the Browse by key resource module of our website under Publications, choose All subjects, then Crime and justice, and Juristat.

Contact information

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