Latest data shows that the crime rate faced by rural residents in Canada is not only higher than that of urban residents, but the severity of the crimes is also greater.

According to a new report released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday, the police-reported crime rate in rural areas of Canada was 34% higher than in urban centers in 2023. In the same year, the incidence rate of violent crimes such as murder, intimate partner violence, and assault in rural areas was 1.7 times that of urban areas.

"To be honest, it's frightening," said Tim Brodt, chairman of the Saskatchewan Rural Crime Watch Association.

The "Crime Severity Index" (CSI) in the report measures the quantity and severity of crimes in various locations.

In 2023, the rural CSI in Saskatchewan was 204, the highest in the country, followed by Manitoba (184) and Alberta (145).

Only Prince Edward Island, Ontario, and Quebec are exceptions, where the rural crime rate is lower than in urban areas.

The crime rate in rural areas of Canada's north is three times that of the south.

Brodt pointed out that gangs and drug problems are the main reasons for the surge in crime in northern Saskatchewan.

"The situation is so bad now that someone might just drive into your yard and shoot at your front door as a 'warning' not to come out," he said.

Overall, the property crime rate in rural areas is also higher.

For example, in Delisle, Saskatchewan, a neighboring fire station of the local library fire department was burglarized during Christmas, losing lifesaving equipment worth thousands of Canadian dollars, including a set of hydraulic spreaders (commonly known as "life clamps").

"It's heartbreaking that the tools we use to save lives are stolen by those we may have to rescue," said Mike Given, captain of the fire department.

Given said that incidents of burglary, vandalism, and theft in rural areas seem to be increasing. Many residents and businesses have had to install security systems.

"This way of life has suddenly become very difficult," he said.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) has long called on the government to take more measures to improve rural safety.

Bill Huber, president of the association, said that solving the problem of insufficient rural law enforcement requires increased funding and legislative reforms.

"Currently, one police station covers a large area, and the response time is often an hour or longer, making rural residents and their property targets for criminals," he noted in a statement sent to CTV News.

Rural public order issues were also one of the focal topics in last year's Saskatchewan provincial election. The provincial government subsequently announced the formation of a new "Marshal Service Team" to assist the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in executing tasks.

Advocates like Brodt hope the government will invest more funds in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to address this issue fundamentally.

Source of information:

https://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2025/05/01/rural-areas-face-higher-more-severe-crime-rate-than-canadian-cities-statistics-canada/

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7500037490099618323/

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