THUNDER BAY — For the fifth consecutive year, it seems likely that Thunder Bay has led all major Canadian population centres in terms of homicide rates.
Statistics Canada doesn't publish the official data for 2020 until later this year.
However, based on a preliminary assessment by TBNewswatch, the eight homicides recorded in the city in 2020 is expected to be enough to keep Thunder Bay at the top of the list with a rate of about 6.3 per 100,000 population.
The city also had the worst homicide rate of all 36 Census Metropolitan Areas in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
In 2019, when Thunder Bay had seven homicides, the rate was 5.56 deaths per 100,000 population.
The same year, Winnipeg was second with a rate of 5.31 homicides per 100,000, based on 44 deaths.
Saskatoon had 16 homicides and a rate of 4.76.
In 2020, Winnipeg again recorded 44 homicides, which would put it in second place behind Thunder Bay once again based on the number per 100,000 population.
Regina, with 11 homicides last year, would have the third worst rate.
2020 reported homicides in Canadian cities
Thunder Bay 8 = 6.3 per 100,000 population
Winnipeg 44 = 5.3 per 100,000 population
Regina 11 = 4.4 per 100,000 population
Based on available data, no other major cities had higher homicide rates last year than Thunder Bay, Winnipeg or Regina.
The tiny Nova Scotia community of Portapique was the scene of 13 murders in a mass attack last April. The community averages between 100 and 250 people, depending on the season. A total of 22 people were killed in the attacks.
A spokesperson for the Thunder Bay Police Service said charges have been laid in all eight homicides that occurred in the city, and court proceedings are underway.
