For the second consecutive year, Canada's crime severity index increased, up 4 per cent from 2021. Hate crimes rose, along with homicides, robbery, and extortion.
Statistics Canada released data collected last year detailing crime rates, crime severity index results, and information on the incidence of specific crimes across the country.
The crime severity index includes all police-reported crimes and assigns a weight based on the seriousness of the offence. That calculation is based on sentences handed down by the courts in all provinces and territories. By contrast, the crime rate is the incidence of offences and gives the same weight to more serious offences like homicide as it does to lesser ones.
In Windsor and Amherstburg, both policed by the Windsor Police Service, the crime rate increased slightly by one per cent, but the crime severity index fell 11 per cent. Police noted a 9.6 per cent drop in violent crime and a 16.3 per cent decrease in non-violent violations.
London's crime rate dipped 5 per cent, and its crime severity index was down 8 per cent.
Canada's crime rate increased by 5 per cent nationwide from 2021. The agency suggested it may indicate a return to an upward trend in crime observed before the pandemic when crime dropped, likely because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The report said hate crimes rose but at a slower pace. Those offences were up 7 per cent after rising 72 per cent between 2019 and 2021. The number of incidents involving race and ethnicity, and sexual orientation were up 12 per cent, but those acts related to religion fell by 15 per cent.
It also said homicides rose 9 per cent, the fourth consecutive year it increased. Extortion was up 39 per cent, and level one sexual assaults by 3 per cent. Robberies rose for the first time in two years, increasing by 15 per cent.
Violent gun crime rose for the eighth consecutive year, up four per cent last year, while non-violent gun crime was stable.
Non-violent crime, which includes motor vehicle thefts, shoplifting, minor theft, and general fraud, rose 4 per cent but was down 6 per cent from two years ago.
There was a drop in other non-violent crimes, including impaired driving, drug offences, and administrative justice violations.
