edmonton - a living history - july 2006

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it will be a nice town once they finish building it

Selected recent events in Edmonton's modern history.

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we're number one
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We're Number One >permalink<


We're Number One

Confirming what local residents have known for years, on July 20th, 2006 Statistics Canada released a report proclaiming Edmonton the murder capital of Canada.


The report cited that among cities of 500,000 or more, Edmonton led the nation in 2005 for the highest homicide rate in Canada, followed by Winnipeg and Vancouver.


In 2005, the city set an all-time record of 39 homicides -- 44 when the total metro area is included.


Statistics Canada says there were 658 homicides in 2005, up four per cent from the previous year -- a 10-year high. Attempted murders were also up 14 per cent to 772.


While homicide and attempted murder rates were up, overall crime in Canada was down five per cent.


Property crime dipped six per cent, the lowest level in 30 years. Counterfeiting dropped by 20 per cent.


Youth crime was also down for the second year in a row, dipping six per cent to the lowest level since 1999. While property crimes and common assault by youths were down, more serious offenses such as homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault and robbery were all up.


The number of youths accused of homicide rose from 44 in 2004 to 65 in 2005, its highest point in more than a decade.


Statistics Canada numbers show young men aged 17 to 24 are most likely to be both the victims and suspects in homicides across the country.


Overall, among cities of 100,000 or more, Edmonton's 44 murders made it first with a homicide rate of 4.3 per 100,000.


Regina was ranked second with a 4.0, followed by Saskatoon and Winnipeg at 3.7, St. Catharines–Niagara and Kingston at 3.2, London at 3.0, Vancouver at 2.9, Abbotsford at 2.5, Calgary and Thunder Bay at 2.4 and Toronto at 2.0


Provincially, the highest homicide rates were reported in Saskatchewan (4.3) and Manitoba (4.2). Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec had the lowest homicide rates.


630 CHED

A 630 CHED Radio news poll asked Edmontonians if they were concerned the city had the highest homicide rate in the country.


56.34% responded "Yes. More police are needed."


28.03% responded "No. It's a big city, they happen," and 15.62% responded "I didn't realize it was that bad."


There was no indication of how many voted on the one-day voluntary poll which allowed only one response per computer.



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