Thunder Bay, Ontario, maintains its position as the city with the highest homicide rate in Canada, as per the most recent data provided by Statistics Canada. The annual homicide trends report, released on December 2 and based on 2024 data, reveals that Thunder Bay’s homicide rate increased from 5.41 to 6.08 per 100,000 population that year. Following Thunder Bay are Chilliwack, British Columbia, with a rate of 4.75, and Winnipeg with a rate of 4.66.
In 2020, Thunder Bay marked its fifth consecutive year with the highest homicide rate in the country. Although it ranked second in 2021, Thunder Bay reclaimed the top spot in both 2022 and 2023. The latest report from Statistics Canada emphasizes that the homicide rate serves as a critical measure for evaluating violence, community safety, and social well-being.
Despite a national decrease of four percent in the homicide rate in 2024, Thunder Bay’s numbers have remained steady. The Thunder Bay Police Service reported 53 homicides between 2020 and 2025, with seven homicides and 295 sudden deaths in 2025 compared to eight homicides and 300 sudden deaths in the previous year. The most recent sudden death occurred on Christmas Day on Regent Street in the city’s north end.
Addressing concerns about neighborhood safety, the City of Thunder Bay is in the process of developing a new community safety and well-being plan. Throughout 2025, the city conducted various public engagement sessions and an online survey to gather input. Additionally, the police service in Thunder Bay introduced new safety initiatives, including a housing safety unit pilot project and received provincial funding to enhance forensic technology and a mental health and addictions program.
Recently, the Thunder Bay Police Service Board approved the police service’s 2026 operational budget request of approximately $64 million, representing a nine percent increase from the previous year. The proposed capital budgets for 2026 and 2027 are around $3.2 million and $4.8 million, respectively. A citizen satisfaction survey is currently available for public feedback on the Thunder Bay Police Service’s website.