Although Canada is ranked as the sixth safest in the world, for many traveling out of their country, safety and security are a major concern.
The good news is countless individuals around the world want to move to Canada because of its high safety ratings, which makes it a wonderful place to live and raise children.
The overall crime rate in Canada is 5,334 incidences per 100,000 residents with a property crime rate of 3,245 and a violent crime rate of 1,098 incidences per 100,000 people.
If you are considering visiting this vast, beautiful, and wonderful country, but are concerned with safety, keep reading to learn more about the safest destinations in the country.
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10 Safest Cities in Canada
10: Barrie
Rounding out the top of our list is Barrie, Ontario, which boasts a 44.9 crime severity index (CSI), which measures the seriousness and prevalence of crime year-over-year, with a lower number being better.
In comparison, Canada has a 73.44, so Barrie boasts a crime rate 34% lower than the national average.
Barrie features incredible healthcare services and a vast mass transit system.
9: Saguenay
Next on our list is Saguenay, Quebec, a city with a CSI of 43.9.
Free of extensive traffic delays, Saguenay is an affordable place to live and named the Cultural Capital of Canada due to its museums, public libraries, cultural venues, symphony orchestra, and seven theaters.
8: Quebec City
Considered a larger city in Canada, Quebec City boasts one of the lowest crime rates in North America.
This city has a CSI of 42.1, which is the lowest among Canada’s major metropolitan areas. 94.16% of Quebec City’s residents feel safe walking alone during the day and 85.41% feel safe walking alone at night, which suggests a high safety level.
Additionally, this city boasts an unbeatable quality of life due to plenty of sports and outdoor activities, low housing costs, and amazing festivals.
7: Aurora
Located in the central York Region, Aurora is one of the safest places in Canada with a CSI of 39.01.
This city recorded just 514 violent crimes per 100,000 individuals, half the national average.
Additionally, Aurora Has several large employers including Bulk Barn Food Limited and Amazon, so plenty of job opportunities with high wages exist.
6: Wellington
Situated in southwestern Ontario and part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Wellington residents enjoy a high quality of life with a low CSI of 38.05.
Wellington’s public safety is focused on maintaining a vibrant, healthy, and safe community with its city being in the top 25th percentile of low crime rates, healthy population growth, and low unemployment.
5: Oak Bay
Located in British Columbia, Oak Bay delivers a high quality of life with excellent safety and security due to its CSI of 29.81, which is half Canada’s average.
Oak Bay is considered the safest in British Columbia and the fifth safest in the country.
The city offers countless recreational activities ranging from indoor sports fields, fitness studios, pools, an arena, and more!
4: Blainville
L’actualite magazine determined that Blainville is ranked the best city to reside in in Quebec in 2019.
With a crime rate 41% lower than Quebec Province and a CSI rate 61% lower than the national average, Blainville is a safe place to live or visit.
As a suburb of Montreal, visitors can easily commute into the city or enjoy the natural spaces which feature year-round outdoor activities!
3: Levis
Coming in at number three on this list is Levis, Quebec. Located in the heart of three national parks, this city is surrounded by exciting hiking trails and countless camping sites.
In addition to having a cost of living that’s 25% lower than the Canadian average, Levis boasts a CSI of 26.77, registering only 463 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2020.
Quebec Province has double that rate and the country have almost triple.
2: Burlington
The second safest city on our list is Burlington, Ontario, a city well-known for its good air quality and cleanliness.
This waterfront city boasts a CSI of 22.77, which is significantly lower than the national index.
As a suburb of Toronto, Burlington is an excellent option for those in search of professional opportunities.
The city features plenty of outdoor activities like taking a walk on the Waterfront Trail or hiking the famous Niagara Escarpment.
1: LaSalle
With an incredibly low crime rate, LaSalle is the safest city in Canada.
Located in Ontario, this city has a CSI of 19.15, which is 74% lower than the national average.
This city boasts a high income and low unemployment rate plus over 100 acres of parkland where you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about safety.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Canada
When traveling to one of these safe destinations or somewhere else in the country, it is important to follow these five safety tips:
1: Never Flash Expensive Items in Public
Toronto and Montreal are major metropolises and petty crime occurs regularly.
By flashing expensive jewelry or cash in crowded places, you could become a target for a petty crime as a criminal could follow you to a secluded location.
2: Watch Your Belongings on Mass Transit
Although Canada is one of the safest countries in the world, petty crime occurs on occasion, so you do not want your trip ruined by being a victim.
When riding on mass transit in even the smallest town, men should keep their wallets in their front pockets and women should keep their handbags at the front of their bodies.
3: Never Wander off the Hiking Trail
Hiking trails were created for a reason, with signage to provide information about the area and ensure hikers find their way back.
With the Canadian Wilderness being so vast, if you veer off the path without any signs, and lack of cell phone service, you can be in major trouble.
For this reason, stick to the developed trails.
Do not worry, there are various hiking trails for different skill levels.
4: Registered with the Rangers Office
Even if you are hiking for the day, it is best to register your proposed route with the ranger’s office as they can give you updated information on any safety concerns and will know your plan in case an incident occurs.
When out in the Canadian wilderness, it is easy to get lost and walk in circles, so if you go missing, the ranger’s office will know exactly which area to look.
5: Never Feed the Wildlife
Canada is a vast country, with an endless diversity of wild animals, many of which are protected by the government.
Therefore, when out hiking or camping, never approach and try to feed or pet a wild animal.
You never know when they will feel threatened and charge at you, so make the right choice by observing their beauty from a distance.
Canada Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Canada Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the seasonal weather like in Canada?
In most of the country, winters are snowy and cold, summers are humid and warm with comfortable dry weather in the fall and wet weather in the spring.
However, the further north you venture, the cooler the temperatures become.
When is the best time to visit Canada?
The answer to this question depends on what you are looking to do in the country.
September through November is the most comfortable time of the year with cooled-down temperatures and stunning fall foliage.
There are also numerous festivals and celebrations like the wine, apple, and pumpkin festivals.
However, if you are in the mood for skiing, then visiting Canada from November to March is your best bet.
When is the worst time to visit Canada?
Generally, the worst time of the year to visit Canada is in the summer.
In addition to hot and humid weather, it is also a high travel season within the country.
This means all the major tourist attractions and large cities will be jam-packed with people.
Therefore, in addition to being annoyingly hot and uncomfortable, you will be subjected to large crowds and lengthy waits at some locations.
What is the cheapest time to visit Canada?
The least expensive time to visit the country is from mid-May to late June.
During this time, there are not that many tourists, so the prices are reasonable.
It is important to note that the first two weeks of May are fairly quiet with many attractions still being closed, so you want to push your visitation date to the middle of May at the earliest.
Is there anything else I should know about visiting Canada?
Yes, always remember, Canada is a huge country, so you will not be able to see everything in one trip.
Also, be prepared for Canada’s defined seasons, which can be brutal in the summer and winter.
Additionally, Canada has two official languages, English and French, so if you are traveling to more remote locations in Quebec, you may not encounter residents who speak much English.
Finally, be prepared to have sales and VAT taxes added to your bills, which the high percentage comes as a shock to many visitors.
As a local, I can attest that Canada is indeed one of the safest countries to live in and visit, with cities like Barrie, Saguenay, Quebec City, Aurora, Wellington being some of the top safe destinations.
I’ve been thinking about moving to Canada, and this post gives me some good options to consider. Safety is one of my top priorities, so I’ll definitely research these cities more before making a decision.
This list is super helpful! I’m planning a trip to Canada next year and now I have a better idea of which cities to prioritize for safety, especially since I’ll be traveling solo.