Canadian teen murder charges rise despite overall homicide rate decline
New statistics from Statistics Canada (StatCan) show that the number of teens under 18 charged with murder increased in 2024, while the overall homicide rate in the country declined.

According to the annual homicide report, 72 teens were charged with murder in 2024, up from 65 in 2023. The increase brings the teen murder charge rate to 0.94 per 100,000.

Among those cases, police recorded 13 murders involving more than one teen, and five involved three or more teens.

Overall homicide rate declines, but risk remains for some groups
Overall, Canadian police recorded 788 homicides in 2024, eight fewer than the previous year. The national homicide rate also fell to 1.91 per 100,000, a 4 per cent decrease from 2023.

However, StatCan emphasizes that this decrease does not paint a complete picture, as Indigenous Canadians remain at greater risk than other groups.

In 2024, Indigenous people made up 30 per cent of all homicide victims, while making up just 5 per cent of the country’s population.

The homicide rate among Indigenous people was 10.84 per 100,000 people, more than eight times the rate for non-Indigenous people.

Dramatic rise in domestic violence homicides
In 2024, about 17 per cent of homicide victims – nearly 100 – were killed by their spouse or intimate partner. This is a significant increase from 72 victims of intimate partner violence in 2023.

81 per cent of victims of domestic homicides were women.

The number of women killed by their spouse, ex-partner or boyfriend increased from 53 in 2023 to 81 in 2024.

Murder rates in different Canadian provinces
Murder statistics in 2024 varied significantly between provinces:

Provinces with decreasing murder rates:
Newfoundland and Labrador: 51% decrease
British Columbia: 27% decrease
Alberta: 20% decrease
Quebec: 11% decrease
Provinces with increasing murder rates:
New Brunswick: Murder rate nearly doubled; from 1.08 to 2.11 per 100,000 population
Number of victims: increased from 9 to 18
Half of these murders were committed with a gun.
Prince Edward Island: Murder rate nearly doubled (due to an increase from 1 murder to 2 murders)
Nova Scotia: increased from 1.33 to 2.32 per 100,000 population; Murders rise from 14 to 25
Drug-related murders surge from 2 to 7
Three multi-victim murders recorded for the first time in four years
Manitoba: Up 22%
Saskatchewan: Up 7%
Ontario: No change; steady at 1.75 murders per 100,000 population
Rising homicides in Regina in 2025
The number of homicides in 2025 increased compared to last year, according to Regina police. While the overall crime rate fell 15.8% from January to October 2025, the homicide rate is on the rise.

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