Table 14
Police-reported youth crime for selected offences, Canada, 2019 and 2020


Table 14
Police-reported youth crime for selected offences, Canada, 2019 and 2020
Table summary
This table displays the results of Police-reported youth crime for selected offences. The information is grouped by Type of offence (appearing as row headers), 2019, 2020, Change in rate 2019 to 2020 and Change in rate 2010 to 2020, calculated using number, rate and percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Type of offence 2019Note r: revised 2020 Change in rate 2019 to 2020Table 14 Note 1 Change in rate 2010 to 2020Table 14 Note 1
number rate number rate percent
Total Criminal Code (excluding traffic) – "Crime rate" 77,441 3,218 54,264 2,221 -31 -63
Total violent crime 32,478 1,350 25,171 1,030 -24 -43
Homicide 34 1 45 2 30 -17
Other violations causing deathTable 14 Note 2 4 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded 6 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded Note ...: not applicable -22
Attempted murder 51 2 38 2 -27 -37
Sexual assault - level 3 - aggravated 5 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded 4 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable
Sexual assault - level 2 - weapon or bodily harm 48 2 65 3 33 104
Sexual assault - level 1 2,284 95 2,015 82 -13 -6
Sexual offence occurring prior to January 4, 1983Table 14 Note 3 52 2 48 2 -9 Note ...: not applicable
Sexual violations against childrenTable 14 Note 4 Table 14 Note 5 1,267 53 1,247 51 -3 239
Assault - level 3 - aggravated 319 13 258 11 -20 -28
Assault - level 2 - weapon or bodily harm 4,344 181 3,437 141 -22 -39
Assault - level 1 12,375 514 9,135 374 -27 -52
Assault against a peace officer 768 32 628 26 -19 -59
Other assaults 101 4 75 3 -27 -73
Firearms - use of, discharge, pointing 224 9 229 9 1 10
Robbery 3,005 125 2,102 86 -31 -49
Forcible confinement or kidnapping 144 6 107 4 -27 -60
Trafficking in personsTable 14 Note 6 9 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded 6 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded -34 Note ...: not applicable
Extortion 190 8 173 7 -10 18
Criminal harassment 925 38 784 32 -17 -45
Uttering threats 5,025 209 3,648 149 -28 -51
Indecent or harassing communicationsTable 14 Note 7 473 20 410 17 -15 -54
Non-consensual distribution of intimate imagesTable 14 Note 8 387 16 390 16 -1 Note ...: not applicable
Offences in relation to sexual servicesTable 14 Note 9 16 1 20 1 23 Note ...: not applicable
Other violent Criminal Code violations 428 18 301 12 -31 -39
Total property crime 30,155 1,253 18,369 752 -40 -76
Breaking and entering 3,216 134 2,438 100 -25 -75
Possess stolen propertyTable 14 Note 10 1,268 53 760 31 -41 Note ...: not applicable
Theft of motor vehicle 1,384 58 1,115 46 -21 -65
Theft over $5,000 (non-motor vehicle) 122 5 96 4 -22 -64
Shoplifting under $5,000 10,223 425 3,735 153 -64 -82
Theft of $5,000 or under (non-motor vehicle) 3,924 163 2,224 91 -44 -79
Fraud 1,110 46 759 31 -33 -55
Identity theft 20 1 17 1 -16 151
Identity fraud 112 5 76 3 -33 -35
MischiefTable 14 Note 11 8,347 347 6,871 281 -19 -68
Arson 429 18 278 11 -36 -76
Total other Criminal Code offences 14,808 615 10,724 439 -29 -62
Weapons violations 1,745 73 1,216 50 -31 -53
Child pornographyTable 14 Note 12 Table 14 Note 13 753 31 672 28 -12 340
ProstitutionTable 14 Note 9 2 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded 1 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable
TerrorismTable 14 Note 14 2 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded 0 0 Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable
Disturb the peace 2,261 94 1,734 71 -24 -75
Administration of justice violations 8,953 372 6,255 256 -31 -60
Other violations 1,092 45 846 35 -24 -68
Total Criminal Code traffic violations 998 41 944 39 -7 -54
Alcohol-impaired drivingTable 14 Note 15 303 13 303 12 -2 -70
Drug-impaired drivingTable 14 Note 16 64 3 65 3 0 37
Alcohol- and drug-impaired drivingTable 14 Note 17 12 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded 36 1 195 Note ...: not applicable
Impaired driving (not specified)Table 14 Note 17 8 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded 8 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded -2 Note ...: not applicable
Other Criminal Code traffic violations 611 25 532 22 -14 -48
Total drug offences 2,198 91 1,556 64 -30 -92
Total other federal statute violations 3,502 146 1,752 72 -51 -80
Human trafficking under the Immigration and Refugee Protection ActTable 14 Note 18 1 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded 2 Note 0svalue rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable
Youth Criminal Justice Act 1,927 80 1,174 48 -40 -83
Quarantine ActTable 14 Note 19 Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable 0 0 Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable
Other federal statutes 1,574 65 576 24 -64 -68
Total - all violations 84,139 3,496 58,516 2,395 -32 -67
... not applicable
0s value rounded to 0 (zero) where there is a meaningful distinction between true zero and the value that was rounded
r revised
Note 1

Due to the variability in small numbers, percent changes have not been calculated when the number of offences is below five in any given year.

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Note 2

Includes, for example, criminal negligence causing death.

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Note 3

In 2019, the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey added a new violation code to collection information on “sexual offences which occurred prior to January 4, 1983.” While most violations are not typically reported years after their occurrence, sexual violations may be reported by a victim long after the incident took place due to a variety of reasons. On January 4, 1983, Canadian legislation surrounding sexual offences changed considerably. In order to reflect these changes, the Survey added the new violation code rather than collect historical offences under an existing violation code that did not reflect the state of Canadian legislation at the time of the offence. Therefore, the percentage change from 2010 to 2020 is not shown.

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Note 4

Excludes sexual assaults against children and youth, which are reported as level 1, 2 or 3 sexual assault.

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Note 5

Includes sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual exploitation, luring a child via telecommunications/agreement or arrangement, making sexually explicit material available to a child for the purpose of facilitating sexual offences against children/youth, and the offences of parent or guardian procuring sexual activity, householder permitting prohibited sexual activity, agreement or arrangement of a sexual offence against a child, and bestiality in the presence of or inciting a child (s. 160(3)). Incidents of child pornography are not included in the category of sexual violations against children.

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Note 6

"Trafficking in persons" includes four specific indictable offences to address human trafficking, namely sections 279.01 (Trafficking in persons), 279.011 (Trafficking of a person under the age of eighteen years), 279.02 (Material benefit), and 279.03 (Withholding or destroying documents). Changes to the Criminal Code, including the introduction of new offences related to trafficking in persons were made in 2005, 2010, 2012 and 2014. Therefore, the percentage change from 2010 to 2020 is not shown.

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Note 7

This offence was amended in 2015 in the former Bill C-13 "Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act" to include all means of telecommunication, not only phone calls.

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Note 8

Nonconsensual distribution of intimate images is an offence created in 2015 by the former Bill C-13 "Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act," therefore the percentage change from 2010 to 2020 is not shown.

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Note 9

In December 2014, new legislation came into effect governing prostitution-related activities. The new legislation targets “the exploitation that is inherent in prostitution and the risks of violence posed to those who engage in it” (Criminal Code Chapter 25, preamble). New violations classified as “offences in relation to sexual services” under “violent crime” include: the purchasing of sexual services or communicating for that purpose, receiving a material benefit deriving from the purchase of sexual services, procuring of persons for the purpose of prostitution, and advertising sexual services offered for sale. In addition, a number of other offences related to prostitution continue to be considered non-violent offences and are classified under “other Criminal Code offences”. These include communicating to provide sexual services for consideration and stopping or impeding traffic for the purpose of offering, providing or obtaining sexual services for consideration. Therefore, the percentage change from 2010 to 2020 is not shown.

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Note 10

Includes trafficking and the intent to traffic stolen goods. In 2011, the Uniform Crime Reported Survey updated the offences included in this violation, therefore the percentage change from 2010 to 2020 is not shown.

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Note 11

Includes altering/removing/destroying a vehicle identification number.

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Note 12

Due to the complexity of cyber incidents, these data likely reflect the number of active or closed investigations for the year rather than the total number of incidents reported to police. Data are based on police-reported incidents that are recorded in police services’ records management systems.

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Note 13

The offence of “child pornography” includes offences under section 163.1 of the Criminal Code which makes it illegal to access, possess, make, print, or distribute child pornography. When the actual victim is not identified, this offence is reported to the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey with the most serious offence being “child pornography” which falls under the larger crime category of “other Criminal Code offences”. In cases where an actual victim is identified, police will report the most serious offence as sexual assault, sexual exploitation or other sexual violations against children, which fall under the category of “violent crimes”, and child pornography may be reported as a secondary violation.

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Note 14

Includes seven terrorism violations which were introduced mid-year 2013, as a result of the enactment of Bill S-7 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act and the Security of Information Act). An additional terrorism violation code was introduced in late 2015, as a result of the enactment of Bill C-51 Anti-terrorism Act. Therefore, comparisons to previous years should be made with caution. Terrorism is a relatively new crime category with only partial data available prior to 2010; therefore, the percentage change from 2010 to 2020 is not shown. Due to the length of time for investigations to confirm whether or not the incident is founded, annual counts of terrorism offences are subject to revisions downwards when revised data are released one year after the initial release; therefore, changes between the current year of data and the previous year should be interpreted with caution.

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Note 15

Includes alcohol-impaired operation of a vehicle, alcohol-impaired operation of a vehicle causing death or bodily harm, failure or refusal to comply with testing for the presence of alcohol and failure or refusal to provide a breath or blood sample. In some jurisdictions, including British Columbia, impaired driving incidents that meet the elements of the Criminal Code may be handled using a provincial statute. Collection of these incidents is not within the scope of the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.

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Note 16

Includes drug-impaired operation of a vehicle, drug-impaired operation of a vehicle causing death or bodily harm, failure or refusal to comply with testing for the presence of drugs and failure or refusal to provide a breath or blood sample. In some jurisdictions, including British Columbia, impaired driving incidents that meet the elements of the Criminal Code may be handled using a provincial statute. Collection of these incidents is not within the scope of the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.

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Note 17

Reflects new impaired driving offences as per former Bill C-46 "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (offences relating to conveyances) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts," which came into effect part way through 2018. Therefore, the percentage change from 2010 to 2020 is not shown.

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Note 18

Includes human trafficking violations under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Data specific to these offences are not available prior to 2011, therefore, the percentage change from 2010 to 2020 is not shown.

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Note 19

The Quarantine Act is applicable to persons arriving in or departing from Canada. It provides measures for the screening, health assessment and medical examination of travellers to determine whether they have a communicable disease and to prevent the introduction and spread of such disease. The Quarantine Act requires any persons entering Canada—whether by air, sea or land—to quarantine (self-isolate) themselves for 14 days if they are asymptomatic in order to limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19. The 14-day period begins on the day the person enters Canada. With the Government of Canada's March 2020 announcement of restrictions on persons arriving in or departing from Canada, pursuant to its powers under the Quarantine Act, the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Survey was adjusted to add a specific Quarantine Act violation code. As police services adopt this new code and adjust to the new reporting requirements, there may be data revisions made to correct any misreporting of these incidents. Revised data will be available for the 2021 UCR release. Therefore, the percentage changes from 2019 to 2020 and 2010 to 2020 are not shown.

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Note: Data is based on the number of youth aged 12 to 17 years who were either charged (or recommended for charging) by police or diverted from the formal criminal justice system through the use of warnings, cautions, referrals to community programs, etc. Counts are based upon the most serious violation in the incident. One incident may involve multiple violations. While the definition of youth and the legislation governing youth justice have changed over the years, data for police-reported rates of youth accused of total, violent, property and other crime categories are available from 1977. Rates are calculated on the basis of 100,000 youth population. Percent changes are based on unrounded rates. Due to the variability in small numbers, percent changes have not been calculated when the number of offenders is below 5 in any given year. Populations are based on July 1st estimates from Statistics Canada, Centre for Demography.
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.
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