By Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index, the Canadian metro areas with the lowest crime severity in 2025 were Barrie (46.9), Saguenay (49.3), Sherbrooke (50.3) and Ottawa (50.6), with Toronto and Québec both at 55.0. All were well below the national CSI of 75.0. For newcomers, safety is only one part of the decision: jobs, housing costs, language, settlement services and community matter just as much.
Data: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime statistics for 2025 (released 22 July 2026), Crime Severity Index and incident-based crime tables. Figures are for whole census metropolitan areas (CMAs); Ottawa refers to the Ontario part of Ottawa–Gatineau. Comparisons not in the release are our own arithmetic. Updated 5 October 2026.
Which Canadian cities have the lowest crime severity?
These were the ten census metropolitan areas with the lowest Crime Severity Index in 2025:
| Metro area (CMA) | Province | CSI 2025 | CSI change vs 2024 | Crime rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrie | Ontario | 46.9 | -3% | 3,777 |
| Saguenay | Quebec | 49.3 | -13% | 2,973 |
| Sherbrooke | Quebec | 50.3 | -7% | 3,134 |
| Ottawa (Ont. part) | Ontario | 50.6 | -6% | 4,212 |
| St. Catharines–Niagara | Ontario | 53.8 | -9% | 4,139 |
| Hamilton | Ontario | 54.8 | -7% | 4,076 |
| Toronto | Ontario | 55.0 | -7% | 3,950 |
| Québec | Quebec | 55.0 | -1% | 3,493 |
| Windsor | Ontario | 55.4 | -12% | 4,203 |
| Trois-Rivières | Quebec | 56.0 | -10% | 3,417 |
| Canada | — | 75.0 | -5% | 5,585 |
Every metro area on this list is in Ontario or Quebec, the two provinces with the lowest provincial CSI in 2025 (Ontario 57.2, Quebec 61.6). See the full list in our crime rate by city ranking.
Is Toronto safe for newcomers?
Many newcomers settle in the Toronto area, and by national standards its crime severity is low. The Toronto CMA’s CSI fell 7% in 2025 to 55.0, and its crime rate of 3,950 per 100,000 people was well below the national 5,585. Homicides in the Toronto CMA fell to 64, a rate of 0.91 per 100,000, roughly half the 2024 rate of 1.90.
Within the region, figures vary by police service. The City of Toronto’s police service recorded a CSI of 59.98 in 2025, while Halton Region (Oakville, Burlington) recorded 30.61, the lowest of the large Ontario services in our data. Read more in Is Toronto safe? and Safest places to live in the GTA.
What about Ottawa, Québec City and Montréal?
Ottawa (Ontario part) had a CSI of 50.6 in 2025, down 6%, the lowest among Canada’s six largest metro areas. As the national capital, it has a large public sector and is officially bilingual. See Is Ottawa safe?
Québec City‘s CMA had a CSI of 55.0 and a crime rate of 3,493 per 100,000, among the lowest of any large metro. French is the main language of daily life, which is worth considering. See Is Québec City safe?
Montréal had a CSI of 61.3, down 5%, and the lowest crime rate of Canada’s three largest metros at 3,641 per 100,000. See Is Montréal safe?
Sherbrooke and Saguenay in Quebec, and Barrie in Ontario, are smaller metro areas. Smaller places can see bigger swings from year to year, so look at several years rather than one.
What should I keep in mind about these rankings?
- CSI is not a full measure of safety. Statistics Canada itself says so. It weights serious crime more heavily and is best used to compare areas over time.
- CMAs are big. A metro area includes the central city and surrounding municipalities. Conditions differ street by street.
- Reported crime only. In 2019, only about 29% of victimizations were reported to police.
- Crime is falling in most places. Canada’s CSI fell 5% in 2025, the second decline in a row, and fell in every province and territory except New Brunswick and Nunavut.
- Higher-CSI cities are still home to millions who live safely. A higher index is a reason to take sensible precautions, not to rule a city out.
What else should newcomers weigh besides crime?
- Jobs: where your profession is in demand and whether your credentials are recognised in that province.
- Housing: rents and availability vary widely between cities.
- Language: French is the main language in most of Quebec; English dominates elsewhere, with bilingual services in some areas.
- Settlement services: larger cities usually have more organisations offering language classes, job support and community programmes.
- Community: being near friends, family or people who share your language or culture can make settling in easier.
- Climate and transport: winters, transit networks and whether you will need a car.
Official settlement information is available from the Government of Canada and provincial governments. Use their websites rather than unofficial sources.
How do I check a specific neighbourhood before renting?
- Look at your local police service’s official crime map or open data for the area.
- Check the metro area’s figures on our Canada crime map.
- Compare two or three areas using the same source and time period.
- Visit at different times of day, including after dark, and walk the route to transit.
- Talk to neighbours and ask the landlord about building security.
Our step-by-step guide on how to check crime in your neighbourhood explains each step and its limits.
New to Canada?
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.
Safest cities for newcomers FAQ
What is the safest city in Canada for newcomers?
By Crime Severity Index, Barrie had the lowest score of any metro area in 2025 at 46.9. Among large cities, Ottawa (50.6) and Toronto (55.0) were lowest. The best choice also depends on jobs, housing and language.
Is Canada a safe country?
Canada’s crime severity fell 5% in 2025 to 75.0, 25% below its 2006 level. Homicide fell 16% to 1.61 per 100,000 people, the lowest rate since 2014.
Which big Canadian city has the lowest crime rate?
Among Canada’s three largest metros, Montréal had the lowest crime rate in 2025 at 3,641 per 100,000, followed by Toronto at 3,950 and Vancouver at 5,672.
Which provinces have the lowest crime severity?
Ontario (57.2) and Quebec (61.6) had the lowest provincial CSI in 2025. Saskatchewan (146.6) and Manitoba (130.0) were the highest among the provinces.
What number do I call in an emergency in Canada?
Call 911 for police, fire or ambulance emergencies anywhere in Canada.