Most large Canadian universities run a free safe-walk or safety-escort service: of the nine we checked on 19 October 2026, five offer an escort around the clock (University of Toronto, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, McGill Security and University of Alberta Protective Services when Safewalk is closed). Student-run programs such as UBC’s AMS Safewalk and Queen’s Walkhome work evenings and late nights during term.
Data: program details from each university’s or students’ union’s official web page, checked 19 October 2026; city figures from Statistics Canada, police-reported crime statistics for 2025 (released 22 July 2026), Table 35-10-0026-01. Hours change between terms, so confirm on the linked page before you rely on a service. Updated 19 October 2026.
Key facts
- University of Toronto TravelSafer runs 24/7, 365 days a year, to any campus location and nearby TTC stations (U of T Campus Safety, checked 19 October 2026).
- University of Calgary Safewalk is free for students, staff and visitors and is available 24/7 at 403-220-5333.
- University of Manitoba SafeWalk patrollers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 204-474-9312.
- UBC AMS Safewalk operates 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. from September to April (9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. in summer).
- McGill Walksafe volunteers will accompany anyone at night to anywhere on the island of Montréal, free and confidentially.
- Only about 6% of sexual assaults in Canada were reported to police in 2019, according to Statistics Canada, so campus crime statistics understate what students experience.
What is a safe walk program?
A safe walk program is a free service that sends trained volunteers or campus security staff to walk with you between two places, usually on or near campus, so you do not have to travel alone. Some are student-run (staffed by volunteers working in pairs, often in the evening), and some are run by campus security or special constables around the clock. Names vary: Safewalk, Walksafe, Walkhome, Foot Patrol, TravelSafer.
Most programs accept anyone on campus, not only students, and you do not need to give a reason for asking. A walk is not an emergency service: for a crime in progress or immediate danger, call 911 first.
Which Canadian universities have safe walk programs?
All nine universities in the table below list a walk or escort service on an official page as of 19 October 2026. Hours are as published; student-run services usually reduce hours or close in summer and on holidays.
| University (city) | Service | Hours (as published, checked 19 Oct 2026) | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto (Toronto) | TravelSafer, Campus Safety | 24/7, 365 days | 416-978-7233 |
| University of British Columbia (Vancouver) | AMS Safewalk, student-run | 8 p.m.–2 a.m. Sept–Apr; 9 p.m.–2 a.m. May–Aug; closed holidays | 604-822-5355 |
| McGill University (Montréal) | Walksafe (SSMU volunteers); Security safety escort | Walksafe nightly; Security 24/7 | 514-398-2498 (Walksafe); 514-398-3000 (Security, downtown) |
| University of Alberta (Edmonton) | UASU Safewalk; Protective Services when Safewalk is closed | Safewalk hours on the UASU site; Protective Services 24 hours for assessed concerns | 780-492-5563 (Safewalk); 780-492-5050 (Protective Services) |
| University of Calgary (Calgary) | Safewalk, Campus Security with volunteers | 24/7 | 403-220-5333 |
| Western University (London, Ont.) | Western Foot Patrol; Work Safe with Special Constables | Foot Patrol Mon–Thu 7:30 p.m.–12 a.m., Fri 8–11 p.m.; Work Safe 6 p.m.–6 a.m. daily | 519-661-3650 |
| McMaster University (Hamilton) | SWHAT, student volunteers (walk or bus) | 7 p.m.–1 a.m. daily, September–April | 905-525-9140 ext. 27500 |
| University of Manitoba (Winnipeg) | SafeWalk, Security Services | 24/7, both campuses | 204-474-9312 |
| Queen’s University (Kingston) | AMS Walkhome; Campus Safe Walk when Walkhome is off duty | Walkhome from dusk to 2 a.m. Sun–Wed, 3 a.m. Thu–Sat, 4 a.m. in exams, 1 a.m. in summer | 613-533-9255 |
Sources: official pages of U of T Campus Safety, AMS of UBC, McGill Campus Safety, University of Alberta Protective Services, University of Calgary Students’ Union, Western Foot Patrol, McMaster Students Union, University of Manitoba and Queen’s University Campus Security, all checked 19 October 2026.
Programs change from year to year, and student-run services can pause or close, so always check the current official page rather than an old orientation guide.
How safe are Canada’s university cities?
The Crime Severity Index (CSI) for the metro areas of these nine universities ranged from 54.8 in Hamilton to 113.4 in Winnipeg in 2025, against a national CSI of 75.0, according to Statistics Canada. The Crime Severity Index is a Statistics Canada measure that weights police-reported crime by seriousness (Canada 2006 = 100).
| Metro area (CMA) | Crime Severity Index (2025) | Change vs 2024 | Crime rate per 100,000 (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 54.8 | −7% | 4,076 |
| Toronto | 55.0 | −7% | 3,950 |
| Montréal | 61.3 | −5% | 3,641 |
| Kingston | 61.5 | +1% | 5,005 |
| Calgary | 61.7 | −3% | 5,038 |
| London | 66.0 | +8% | 5,059 |
| Vancouver | 83.5 | +1% | 5,672 |
| Edmonton | 95.6 | −7% | 7,463 |
| Winnipeg | 113.4 | −9% | 7,899 |
| Canada | 75.0 | −5% | 5,585 |
Six of the nine university metros had a CSI below the national 75.0 in 2025 (our calculation from Statistics Canada data). Metro figures describe the whole region, not the campus. For each city, see is Toronto safe?, is Vancouver safe?, is Montréal safe?, is Edmonton safe?, is Winnipeg safe? and is Kingston safe?
How do I request a safe walk?
You request a safe walk by calling the program’s phone number, using your university’s safety app where one exists, or asking in person at the security office or the program’s desk. The usual steps are:
- Save the number now. Put your campus program’s number and campus security’s number in your phone before you need them.
- Call or use the app. Give your name, where you are and where you are going. U of T, for example, takes TravelSafer requests through the UofT Safety App.
- Wait somewhere lit and staffed if the walkers are a few minutes away, such as a library entrance or residence lobby.
- Check identification. Walkers normally wear program jackets and carry photo ID; the University of Manitoba describes blue SafeWalk jackets with yellow lettering.
- Book ahead at busy times. Volunteer programs answer on a first-come basis, and evenings around exams are busiest.
What if my campus has no safe walk service at that hour?
If no walk service is running, campus security can usually still help: at the University of Alberta, for example, Protective Services provides accompaniment on university property when Safewalk is not operating. Other options:
- Travel with others and share your live location with a friend for the trip.
- Stay on main, well-lit routes and keep one earbud out. Our tips for walking home alone at night cover this in detail.
- Plan transit trips: wait near the operator or in designated waiting areas; see public transit safety in Canada.
- Use a safety app that can share your location and send an alert; compare options in safety apps for women in Canada.
How do I report a crime on or near campus?
Crimes on or near campus are reported to the local police service, by calling 911 in an emergency or the police non-emergency line otherwise, and campus security can help you make the report. Reporting matters for safety planning: Statistics Canada estimates that only about 29% of victimizations were reported to police in 2019, and about 6% of sexual assaults. Our guide on how to report a crime in Canada explains online reporting for minor property crime.
Before you sign a lease off campus, you can also check the area with official police maps: see how to check crime in your neighbourhood and our Canada Crime Map.
Want this on your phone?
Safety App Canada puts official crime data on a live map, plans walking routes that avoid high-risk areas and sends one-tap SOS alerts to the people you trust. Coming soon to Android and iPhone.
Campus safety FAQ
Is a safe walk free?
Yes, in most cases. The University of Toronto (TravelSafer), the University of Calgary (Safewalk) and McGill Walksafe all describe their services as free.
Can non-students use a safe walk program?
Often yes. University of Calgary Safewalk serves students, staff and campus visitors, and McGill Walksafe accepts any person or group.
Which universities offer a 24-hour safe walk?
As of 19 October 2026, the University of Toronto (TravelSafer), the University of Calgary (Safewalk) and the University of Manitoba (SafeWalk) list 24/7 escorts, and McGill Security offers a 24/7 safety escort within set limits.
Will a safe walk take me off campus?
Some will. McGill Walksafe goes anywhere on the island of Montréal, and McMaster’s SWHAT walks students off campus within set boundaries; U of T TravelSafer covers campus and abutting TTC stations.
Is a safe walk program an emergency service?
No. If you are in danger or a crime is happening, call 911 first, then campus security.
Related: safest cities for newcomers · best personal safety apps · is Calgary safe? · is London, Ontario safe? · is Hamilton safe? · crime rate in Canada by city. In an emergency call 911.