Statistics released today show Canada's homicide rate has dropped to its lowest since 1966. The 2012 rate of 1.56 victims per 100,000 people was a 10 per cent decline compared to 2011, and a 75 per cent decline from its peak in 1975. Statistics Canada has been tracking homicide rates since 1961.
Canadian homicide rate, 1961 - 2012
SOURCE: Statistics Canada
There were 543 homicide victims last year, including 162 in Ontario and 108 in Quebec. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta had the three highest provincial homicide rates in the country, at 4.1, 2.69 and 2.19 victims per 100,000 people respectively. In the past 10 years, one of Manitoba or Saskatchewan have had the highest provincial homicide rate.