Safest Cities in Canada: Canada is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse culture, and high quality of life. When it comes to safety, the country boasts some of the most secure and peaceful cities in the world. Whether you’re planning to move to Canada or simply visiting, understanding which cities offer the safest environment is essential.
In this blog, we will explore the safest cities in Canada, highlighting factors such as low crime rates, well-developed infrastructure, and a strong sense of community. Let’s take a look at these cities where students can feel safe and enjoy a peaceful life.
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5 Safest Cities in Canada
Canada is known for its friendly people and peaceful atmosphere, making it a great place to live and study. When it comes to safety, some cities stand out for their low crime rates and strong sense of community. Here, we will highlight the 5 safest cities in Canada, where students and families can feel secure while enjoying all that the country has to offer. Let’s take a look at these top cities and what makes them so safe.
LaSalle, ON
LaSalle is one of the safest cities in Canada as per the Crime Severity Index. Situated in Ontario, this city has a CSI of 30.2. Apart from that, the city offers high-income rates and a very low unemployment rate of 3%. One of LaSalle’s biggest features is that on the last Sunday of May, June, July, and August, the Civic Centre offers night markets with food, music, and vendors. The paved trails and parkland of this city are spread over 40 km and 100 acres respectively and students can jog, walk, or cycle without any concern for their safety.
| Best Universities in LaSalle | La Salle University |
| Crime Rate in LaSalle | 22% |
Also Read:
- Moving to Canada from India: A Detailed Guide for Students
- Best Colleges in Toronto for International Students in 2025
Burlington, ON
With a decent population of almost 1.8 lakhs, Burlington is one of the safest cities in Canada for students. This city is known for its clean atmosphere and good air quality. Also, Burlington has a CSI of 31.04 in the year 2022-23 and the crime rate is comparatively lower than the average rate. This waterfront city is located in the Greater Toronto Area offers amazing job opportunities and is a good fit for students who want to settle in Canada after completing their education or even look for housing options in Canada while studying here.
Apart from that, students can enjoy other recreational activities like taking a walk on the Waterfront Trail on the shore of Lake Ontario. You can also go hiking at the famous Niagra Escarpment.
| Best Universities in Burlington | Northeast Ohio Medical University Neomed, University Of Vermont, Champlain College |
| Crime Rate in Burlington | 21.57% |
Levis, QC
Levis is another safest city in Canada with a Crime Severity Index of 30.17 in the year 2022-23. You can find many camping sites and exciting hiking trails as the city is located at the heart of the three national parks. The cost of living in Levis is 25% lower than the national average.
There are many places to visit for students like Dufferin Terrace, Palace Royal, Plains of Abraham and more. Students can also spend quality time with their friends and classmates at the nearby restaurants, cafes and pubs.
| Best Universities in Levis | University of Quebec, Levis Campus |
| Crime Rate in Levis | 64% |
Wellington County, ON
With a population of 2.41 lakhs, Wellington County is one of the safest cities in Canada. This city is located in Southwestern Ontario and is a part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. It offers a high quality of life along with a crime rate of 2.5%. The city is dedicated to preserving a lively, safe, and healthy neighbourhood. Wellington County ranks in the top 25th percentile for low crime, healthy population growth, and low unemployment.
Apart from this, the city has to offer some lush green parks, cosy and friendly restaurants and cafes, lively clubs and pubs and much more. Students can relax and unwind during the weekend with their friends and have a great time. The University of Waterloo, University of Guelph and Conestoga College are located within the proximity of the city.
| Best Universities in Wellington County | University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre, and Trios College |
| Crime Severity Index of Wellington County | 27.20 |
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Oak Bay, BC
Oak Bay is among the top cities in Canada in terms of both the standard of living and the security and safety of its citizens. With a crime rate of 3.18%, Oak Bay is one of the safest cities in British Columbia and Canada. The city has several places, such as Oak Bay Recreation Centre, where you may work out or engage in leisure activities with your loved ones.
Royal Roads University and the University of Victoria are some of the prominent universities that are situated in the city. Students can enjoy their free time in some of the best bookshops in Canada located in this city, and go to the nearby restaurants, cafes, clubs and pubs.
| Best Universities in Oak Bay | University of Victoria |
| Crime Severity Index of Oak Bay | 29.2 |
Safest Cities in Canada: Ranked from Lowest to Highest CSI
When choosing a place to live in Canada, safety is a top priority. Some cities have a notably low Crime Severity Index (CSI), making them among the safest in the country. Below is a table highlighting some of the safest cities in Canada along with their CSI scores.
| City/Region | Province | Crime Severity Index (CSI) |
| Halton Region | Ontario | 31.4 |
| Saanich | British Columbia | 43.8 |
| Durham Region | Ontario | 46.8 |
| Appalaches Region | Quebec | 49.4 |
| Peel Region | Ontario | 51.4 |
| Sherbrooke | Quebec | 53.3 |
| St. Catharines | Ontario | 54.5 |
| York Region | Ontario | 54.6 |
| Guelph | Ontario | 55.5 |
| Ottawa | Ontario | 55.8 |
Key Factors That Make Canadian Cities Safe
The safest cities in Canada are known for their peaceful environments and high quality of life. But what makes these cities so secure? Several key factors contribute to the safety of Canadian cities, from low crime rates to well-maintained infrastructure. Here, we will explore the elements that play a crucial role in making cities across Canada some of the safest places to live.
- Social Support Programs: Canada offers programs that help people with education, housing, and poverty. These efforts reduce crime by addressing its root causes.
- Good Quality of Life: Cities with access to parks, recreational activities, and basic services help people stay healthy and reduce stress, which can lead to lower crime rates.
- Effective Police: Community policing builds trust between the police and the public. This cooperation helps prevent crime and keeps neighborhoods safe.
- Crime Prevention Programs: Programs aimed at helping young people and reaching out to communities focus on preventing crime before it starts.
- National Crime Prevention: Programs from organizations like Public Safety Canada help reduce crime by focusing on long-term prevention.
- Alternatives to School Suspension: Programs that offer alternatives to suspensions for troubled students can stop them from getting involved in criminal activity.
- Community Engagement: When people actively participate in their communities and local events, they create a sense of responsibility for everyone’s safety.
- Cultural Values: Cities with cultures of respect, cooperation, and peace have lower crime rates because people work together to keep their neighborhoods safe.
- Low Population Density: Cities with fewer people can have lower crime rates because there’s less crowding and more space for everyone to live peacefully.
How to Find the Safest City in Canada
When determining the safest city in Canada, several key factors must be considered. These include crime rates, law enforcement efficiency, healthcare access, infrastructure, and economic stability. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to look for:
1. Crime Rate Statistics
- Check the Crime Severity Index (CSI) by Statistics Canada.
- Look at violent crime, property crime, and overall safety ratings.
2. Law Enforcement & Emergency Services
- Strong police presence and quick emergency response times contribute to safety.
3. Healthcare & Medical Facilities
- Cities with top hospitals and healthcare access ensure better emergency care.
4. Infrastructure & Public Safety
- Well-lit streets, low traffic accidents, and reliable public transport enhance safety.
5. Community & Social Stability
- Cities with strong community programs and social support reduce crime rates.
6. Cost of Living & Economic Stability
- Higher employment rates and economic stability often mean lower crime levels.
7. Surveys & Reports
- Look for rankings from sources like Maclean’s Canada’s Safest Cities Report.
8. Local News & Resident Reviews
- Check online forums, local news, and expat reviews for real-life safety experiences.
FAQs on Safest Cities in Canada
Quebec City is one of the safest parts of Canada. The rate of violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery is very low.
Canada is not the safest but yes, it is the 12th safest country in the world.
Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are the top three safest cities in Canada.
The crime rate in Wellington County is 2.5%.
Ottawa is one of the best and safest cities in Canada for an Indian.
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan with a Crime Severity Index of 263 is the Canadian city with highest crime rate.
Okotoks, Alberta with a 35.8 Crime Severity Index has the lowest crime rate in Canada.Safest Cities in Canada
The Crime Severity Index (CSI) is a measure used in Canada to assess the overall level of crime in a city, considering both the volume and severity of reported crimes.
The CSI is calculated by weighing different types of crimes based on their severity and frequency. More serious crimes have a higher impact on the overall index.
While major cities have higher crime rates compared to smaller towns, they still have many safe neighborhoods. Crime rates can vary within different areas of a city.
This was all about the safest cities in Canada. We hope that this blog has given you the insights that you need. For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118.
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