For the first time in over a decade, the Canadian crime rate rose substantially in 2003. The rise was largely due to the increase in counterfeiting across the country. The number of property crimes and minor offences such as disturbing the peace also increased, but the violent crime rate stayed the same, and the number of murders was down from 2002.
Counterfeiting
There was a huge increase of 72 percent in counterfeiting crimes in 2003, bringing counterfeiting up to the sixth largest crime category in Canada. While some of this apparent increase in activity could be due to the improvement in the detection of counterfeit currency, the Bank of Canada's 2003 Annual Report reported double the number of counterfeit notes in circulation compared to the previous year.
Property Crime in Canada
The property crime rate in Canada, including residential and business break-ins and vehicle thefts, went up 4 percent in 2003. That was from a 20 year low the year before, so the rate is still more than 25 percent lower than it was a decade ago.
Vehicle thefts were up about 5 percent across Canada, except for in Alberta where they went up 15 percent. Other provinces with large increases in vehicle thefts in 2003 were Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Drug Crime in Canada
In 2003, the drug crime rate in Canada fell about 8 percent, dropping for the first time in a decade. A reduction in the rate of cannabis possession offences by 18 percent was the significant factor in the drop. The uncertainty from court rulings and the introduction of a bill to reform marijuana laws likely contributed to the reduction in the number of charges for marijuana possession laid by police in 2003.
British Columbia continues to be the province with the highest rate in drug crimes in Canada.
Violent Crime in Canada
The violent crime rate in Canada has fallen 11 percent since 1993.
The homicide rate for Canada went down 7 percent in 2003 to its lowest level in over 35 years. A total of 548 homicides were reported to police.
Saskatchewan had the highest homicide rate in the country, and the four Atlantic provinces had the lowest homicide rates in Canada.
