Homicide trends in Canada, 2023
Released: 2024-12-11
Homicides remain a relatively rare occurrence in Canada, constituting 0.1% of all police-reported violent crimes in 2023. Despite their low frequency, homicide rates serve as a key indicator of overall societal violence. When considered alongside other measures like violent crime rates and the Violent Crime Severity Index, homicide rates provide a more comprehensive picture of violence trends in Canada.
In 2023, police services reported 778 homicides across the country, 104 fewer victims than the previous year. As a result, the national homicide rate decreased by 14%, from 2.27 to 1.94 homicides per 100,000 population. Gang-related homicides and intimate partner homicides all experienced declines, contributing to the overall reduction in the national homicide rate. Significant decreases in homicide rates in Canada's three largest census metropolitan areas (CMAs)—Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver—also contributed to the overall reduction. This marks the first time since 2019 that the rate was below two homicides per 100,000 population.
Chart 1
Rate of homicides, by province, 2022 and 2023
Most provinces recorded decreases in their homicide rates in 2023
In 2023, eight provinces saw reductions in their homicide rates. The largest decline was in New Brunswick (-42%), while Nova Scotia (-29%) and British Columbia (-23%) also saw notable declines.
In contrast, with five more homicides in 2023 (8) than in 2022 (3), the homicide rate for Newfoundland and Labrador increased 163%, from 0.56 per 100,000 population in 2022 to 1.49 homicides per 100,000 population in 2023. Prince Edward Island also reported an increase in its homicide rate, as no homicides were reported in the province in 2022 and one was reported in 2023.
Among Canada's CMAs, Thunder Bay recorded the highest homicide rate in 2023, despite a 54% decrease in the number of homicides compared with the previous year. Thunder Bay's homicide rate stood at 5.39 per 100,000 population, followed by Winnipeg (5.04) and Chilliwack (4.77).
Aligning with the general downward trend in the homicide rate, 26 of Canada's 42 CMAs recorded declines in their homicide rate from 2022 to 2023 (Table 2). The three largest CMAs—Toronto (-14%), Montréal (-21%) and Vancouver (-37%)—experienced significant reductions in homicide rates in 2023.
Close to 6 in 10 firearm-related homicides committed with a handgun
Similar to 2022, nearly 4 in 10 (39%) homicides were committed with a firearm in 2023. Consistent with recent years, handguns were the most common firearm used in these crimes, accounting for 56% of firearm-related homicides in 2023. Rifles and shotguns were used in 25% of firearm-related homicides, while the remainder involved unknown types of firearms (e.g., firearms where the exact method used to fire the lethal projectile cannot be identified) or firearm-like weapons (including fully automatic firearms and improvised firearms).
Chart 2
Number of homicide victims, by type of firearm used to commit the homicide, 2023
For the purposes of the Homicide Survey, an incident is defined as the occurrence of one or more homicides during a single, distinct event. If there are multiple victims or multiple accused people, the homicides must occur at the same location and at the same time if they are to be included within the same incident. If this is not the case, they are recorded as separate incidents.
Approximately one-quarter of homicides are gang-related
Gang-related violence remains a contributor to Canada's homicide rate. Despite a decrease in gang-related homicides in 2023 compared with 2022, they still accounted for approximately one-quarter of all homicides in 2023. Specifically, 173 gang-related homicides were committed in 2023, 31 fewer than the previous year, corresponding to a rate of 0.43 per 100,000 population.
Number of youth accused of homicide declined in 2023
Overall, the number of youth under the age of 18 who were accused of committing a homicide decreased in 2023. Among cleared homicides, police services reported that 64 youths were accused of homicide in 2023, compared with 95 in 2022. The rate of youth accused of homicide decreased from 1.29 per 100,000 youths in 2022 to 0.85 per 100,000 youths in 2023.
However, the proportion of gang-related homicides committed by youth increased. Over 31% of homicides committed by youth were gang-related in 2023, compared with 16% in 2022.
Chart 3
Number of youths accused of homicide, 1974 to 2023
Indigenous peoples continue to be overrepresented as homicide victims
Indigenous peoples in Canada face a disproportionate risk of homicide. This heightened risk is deeply rooted in the ongoing effects of colonization, including systemic discrimination, poverty and a legacy of trauma.
In 2023, just over one in four (26%) homicide victims were Indigenous, despite representing 5% of the overall population. Similarly, in 2022, 27% of homicide victims were Indigenous. This overrepresentation translates to a homicide rate of 9.31 per 100,000 Indigenous people, a figure more than six times higher than the rate for non-Indigenous Canadians.
Nearly one in three homicide victims belong to a racialized group
Racialized individuals in Canada are disproportionately involved in the criminal justice system. They may face challenges at various stages, both as victims and as accused. These challenges can include discriminatory treatment and systemic barriers, which can exacerbate existing inequalities.
In 2023, 30% of all homicide victims (235) were identified as belonging to a racialized group. The overall rate of homicide for racialized victims (1.98 victims per 100,000 population) was higher than the homicide rate for non-racialized victims (1.90 per 100,000 population).
Among all homicide victims identified as racialized, the most represented groups were Black (39%) and South Asian (20%) individuals.
Nearly one-third of individuals charged with committing a homicide in the past five years were in custody or under community supervision at the time of the incident
Lawmakers, prosecutors and courts across the country recently requested a bail reform to enhance public safety and maintain public confidence in the criminal justice system. The most recent reforms, which came into effect on January 4, 2024, make it more difficult for individuals accused of serious violent offences involving weapons, specific firearm offences and intimate partner violence to be granted bail (see the Note to readers for additional details on bail reform).
From 2019 to 2023, the custody status of individuals involved in homicides varied. For those individuals for whom the information was available, the proportion of the accused in custody or under community supervision at the time the homicide was committed ranged from 30% in 2019 to 34% in 2023.
It is important to note that these results are based on individuals who were in custody or under community supervision, which encompasses a broader range than those on bail, including those on remand, sentenced to custody or probation.
Chart 4
Proportion of people accused of homicide in custody or under community supervision at the time of the homicide, 2019 to 2023
Missing persons as victims of homicide
While the overall number of homicides decreased in 2023, the number of homicide victims who had been missing at the time of their death increased.
In 2023, approximately 6% of homicide victims (or 43 victims) were reported as missing at the time of their death. This represents an increase from 4% (or 39 victims) in 2022. Among homicide victims in 2023, women (7%) were more likely than men (5%) to have been reported as missing at the time of their death. Among Indigenous homicide victims, 10% of Indigenous women were reported as missing at the time of their death, compared with 4% of Indigenous men.
Women continue to be disproportionately affected by intimate partner homicide
As has historically been the case, women accounted for a disproportionate number of victims of intimate partner homicide in 2023. This includes homicides committed by a current or former legally married or common-law spouse, dating partner, or other intimate partner. While there were 36 fewer victims of intimate partner homicides in 2023 (67 victims, down from 103 in 2022), women accounted for 73% of victims.
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Note to readers
Because of the relatively small population sizes in the territories, variations in year-over-year homicide rates need to be interpreted with caution. Therefore, the territories are included in the overall national rate but not displayed separately.
The amendments made to strengthen Canada's bail system can be found at Amendments to strengthen Canada's bail system.
The results exclude homicides where it was unknown whether the charged/suspect-chargeable was in custody or under community supervision at the time of the homicide. In 2023, this unknown status accounted for 0.7% of individuals involved in homicides.
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The infographic "Homicide in Canada, 2023" (11-627-M) is now available.
Additional data are available upon request.
Contact information
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