By Canadian Press

Last year saw highest rate of gang-related homicides in 16 years: Statistics Canada

Nov 21, 2022 | 12:55 PM

Data from Statistics Canada show there was an increase in homicides in 2021 and nearly one-quarter of the killings were connected to gangs.

There were 788 homicides in the country last year – up three per cent from 2020 – and 184 of those were gang related. 

It marks the highest rate of gang-related homicides since 2005.

The agency says firearms were the most common weapon used in homicides.

Saskatchewan had the highest homicide rate, up nine per cent from 2020.

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The rate of Indigenous victims across the country remained disproportionately high — six times higher than non-Indigenous people.

Black and South Asian people also had higher rates of being victims of homicide.

The Canadian Press