Executive summary:This paper makes mention of some of the most common crimes in Canada and highlights the cities where these crimes are concentrated. The paper then zeroes in on the most common crime of homicide and discusses the reasons that contribute to the high homicide rate. Next, the paper will discuss some possible measures which squarely address the contributing factors to the high homicide rate. Lastly, the paper will explain why these measures were suggested and what kind of effects are predicted.
Canadian culture is marked by equality and respect for other people regardless of gender, race, religion or cultural background (Canadian Culture). However, this paper will indicate that, just like any other nation, Canada has its share of crimes.Research results:A 2006 consensus revealed the following crime rates for 4 of the major crime indicators. For the crime of homicide, Nunavut topped the list at a crime rate of 6.5 per population of 100,000; followed by Saskatchewan at 4.
3; Manitoba at 3.3; Alberta at 2.8; and British Columbia at 2.5.
For the crime of level 1 to 3 assault, Nunavut is again on top of the list with a crime rate of 5,893 per 100,000 population; followed by the Northwestern territories at 5, 834; Yukon at 2,655; Saskatchewan at 1,671; and Manitoba at 1,243. Forrobbery, Manitoba is at number 1 with a crime rate of 182 per 100,000 population; followed by Saskatchewan at 150; British Columbia makes it to the list at 110; followed by Alberta at 93; and Quebec at 91. For breaking and entering, the Northwestern territories are number 1 with a crime rate of 2,332 per 100,000 population; Nunavut is at number 2 with 1,965; British Columbia at number 3 with 1,088; at number 4 is Manitoba with 1,074; and Quebec at number 5 with 867(Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia). While no formal consensus was available for the other years, newspaper articles indicate that in 2003, Saskatchewan had the highest homicide rate (Munroe, 2003). By 2009, Manitoba had the highest homicide rate.
Other developments in 2009 came to show that the crime severity index or CSI (a measure of the seriousness of police- reported crime) of Saskatchewan was reported as the highest followed by Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta (Police-reported crime statistics, 2009). Given the above data, it seems there are at least 5 cities rating high in the crime list. Nunavut ranks high in the crimes of homicide, assault, breaking and entering. Saskatchewan ranks high in homicide, assault and robbery. Manitoba ranks high in robbery, homicide, breaking and entering.
British Columbia ranks high in homicide, robbery, breaking and entering. While Alberta seems to rank low in other crimes, it has its prominent share of homicide and robbery. Given that homicide seems to be the most common crime committed in tthese cities of crime, this paper will attempt to address this issue by offering some possible solutions to avoid the commission of this crime. This paper will also attempt to device a strategy by which the success of these solutions may be measured. Before addressing any problem, there is a need to look at the possible reasons for its existence. Why does the homicide rate exist and what is fuelling its existence? In order to answer this question, it is worth looking into the city of Abbotsford, British Columbia which finds itself on the number 1 spot for having the most homicides per capita in 2009.
Abbotsford's high murder rate is likely due to its popularity with gang leaders who have been engaged in a murderous turf war in recent years (Abbotsford, B.C. is Canada's murder capital, again, 2010). Other realities suspected of playing a role in the high homicide rates reported is the attention given by the authorities to the wrong targets.
A report has shown that despite decades of mandatory handgun registration, the use of handguns to commit homicide has increased from 27% in 1974 to 66% in 2002. 2/3 of the accused for murder had a criminal record, while 73% of the 2/3 had been previously convicted (Breitkreuz, 2003). Another interesting fact that may contribute to the homicide rates is that aboriginals, who make up 3% of the Canadian population, accounted for 21% of those accused of homicide. And yet, police have been internally instructed to no longer collect information on the aboriginal status of accused (Breitkreuz, 2003).
