Report after report is reinforcing what many of us have come to suspect – violent crime is increasing in Canada.
Data released by the federal and provincial governments is also showing that substance abuse from alcohol and cannabis to opioids and cocaine is on the rise too.
Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index, which measures police-reported crime, states the index for violent crime saw a five per cent increase in 2022. This followed a six per cent increase in 2021.
The report released on July 27 shows 531,243 violent incidents were reported in 2022, which was a 39 per cent increase over the 382,115 reported in 2015.
After 2014, Canada saw a nine-year downward trend in violent crime start to reverse. As of 2022, the severity of violent crime has reached its highest point since 2007, and murders have reached their highest rate in 30 years.
While Canada has drastically reduced violent crime since the 1970s and 80s, the current upward trend of violent crimes is a concern for nearly all of us.
One area of crime that is hard to ignore is the increase in public drug use, random violence and overdoses.
This has posed a particularly difficult challenge for law enforcement agencies across the country. Edmonton’s Chief of Police Dale McFee has regularly spoken out about issues of open drug use, violent crime and homelessness affecting the city.
These issues persist far beyond one municipal jurisdiction and are becoming growing concerns in both urban and rural areas.
McFee notes that there is an inherent relationship between violence and drugs. The associated violence that can occur often relates to the type of drug use that is taking place. The erratic behaviour by those who are using drugs has its own knock-on effect – it causes and instills fear in the rest of society.
So, how do we start turning the tide on rising crime?
McFee has been known to say, “We can’t arrest our way out of the problem.” But he adds, “It starts with getting some actions to connect – and then find out what the problem is and get the question right before we solve the wrong problem.”
While I don’t have the answers when it comes to reducing violent crime, I do have several questions. And without good questions you can’t have good answers.
Who are the greatest perpetrators of violent crime? What is the average age of individuals charged with violent crime? Is the total number of violent offenders increasing?
Where is the bulk of illicit drugs originating from? Are there enough resources being spent to keep drugs off the street? At what age does illicit drug consumption typically start?
Does a lack of affordable housing contribute to substance abuse? Do Canada’s police services feel as though they have the resources necessary to combat the increase of violent crime?
What led to the decrease in overall crime and violent crime in the past? How have other countries dealt with rising drug use, homelessness and violent crime? What services sectors could be supported to create positive change when it comes to crime in Canada?
When it comes to rising crime in Canada there are currently hundreds of unanswered questions. Until we take a deep dive into the problem from all angles, I fear the rise in violent crime will only continue to grow.
