Most Dangerous Cities in Canada

Sitting on Lake Ontario, Toronto has become a favorite destination for immigrants thanks to its entertainment and employment landscape.

Comparing Toronto to other major North American cities, it’s one of the safest. This does not mean that it doesn’t have any crime. The most common include pickpocketing and cyber fraud, especially in touristy areas. This includes credit card and booking fraud.

Mississauga is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a city brimming with eclectic neighborhoods, a stunning waterfront, and a thriving business community.

Crime isn’t the real threat in Mississauga, although petty crimes such as theft and vandalism do occur. The city is, however, directly threatened by natural disasters such as tornadoes, winter storms, occasional flooding, and hurricanes. Other concerns in the town include cyber and credit card fraud.

Located in the southwestern region of Ontario, Windsor is one of the most favored cities in Canada. A leader in the automotive industry, the city has direct ties with the original Ford Motor Company and today offers a diverse and expanding business community.

Ranked as one of the safest cities in Ontario, Windsor, in contrast to other cities, sees higher rates of violent crimes, including assault and armed robbery. It also suffers from high levels of drug-related crimes and, surprisingly, high corruption rates.

The capital city of the Alberta province, Edmonton, boasts the highest quality of life in the country. Locally, it’s the gateway to Canada’s wild, adventurous north and attracts thousands due to its family-friendly lifestyle and atmosphere.

As for crime, Edmonton is a relatively safe city with its neighbourhoods, such as Downtown Edmonton having a low crime index. While significant crimes aren’t a massive concern within the town, petty crimes occur within populated areas, mainly in drug-related domestic violence cases.

Moncton in New Brunswick might be a smaller city on this list, but it offers numerous fantastic big-city attractions. With a very welcoming local population, the city is quickly expanding thanks to a growing immigrant population.

As with many expanding cities, Moncton faces a rising homelessness crisis spurred on by a surge in drug usage and dealing. Other common crimes include assault and robbery, which are in some lower-income regions of the city.

As the capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg is the province’s, cultural heart. At its centre, you’ll find “The Forks”, where two rivers meet to create the city’s most populous arts and entertainment district that draws thousands annually.

Because Winnipeg is quite a big city and well-known in Canada, it does see its fair share of crime and criminal activities. Crimes such as muggings and robberies are some of the most commonly reported, while high levels of assault and armed robbery have also been reported.

Sault Ste. Marie has long been a favorite destination for families seeking extensive city amenities with small-town charm. It’s close to three of the Great Lakes of Canada and thus is popular amongst tourists as well.

Sault Ste. Marie, however, has some issues that have been reported with aggravated assault and theft. Here the threat of vandalism and drug-related crimes such as using and dealing is what is mostly reported and a cause for concern.

Regarding diversity, Sudbury in Northern Ontario is one of the best places to live in Canada. It’s a thriving city where urban and rural blend seamlessly, making it a popular option for young people and tourists.

While petty crimes in Sudbury have been steadily declining for the last three years, according to the VCSI, violent crimes have increased. In 2021, Sudbury recorded the fourth-highest homicide rate in Canada.

Safety Tip: Always ensure that a close friend or relative knows where you’re going and avoid poorly-lit areas.

Incidents of drug using and dealing, as well as vandalism and theft, are the major issues facing Red Deer. Although reported incidents involving assault and armed robbery have also been on the rise in higher populated areas of the city.

Safety Tip: If heading into the central business district, be aware of your surroundings and avoid the less crowded areas further out of the city boundaries.

Safety Tip: Stay away from areas where drug-related crimes are constantly reported, and when traveling, always stick to well-lit neighborhoods.