Juristat Article on Homicide in Canada, 2009

Juristat, a publication of the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, today published an article entitled Homicide in Canada, 2009:

"There were 610 homicides reported by police in 2009, 1 less than the previous year. Homicides continue to be a relatively rare occurrence in Canada, accounting for less than 1% of all violent crimes reported by police. Canadians are about six times more likely to commit suicide and about five times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than they are to be a victim of homicide."

"Homicide is the most serious criminal offence, and a country’s homicide rate can be used as a barometer to measure the level of violence in that society. It is also the only criminal offence that is directly comparable among nations. Canada’s homicide rate continues to be about one-third that of the United States, but comparable to many European nations ..."