Ontario is the safest province in Canada by police-reported crime, with a 2024 Crime Severity Index (CSI) of 60.7 — the lowest of any province — followed closely by Quebec (63.0) and Prince Edward Island (72.6).
Last updated: 09-Jul-2026 · Data: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime statistics 2024 (released 22-Jul-2025), table 35-10-0026-01.
Choosing where to live and where to vacation can be challenging. Climate, weather, affordability, and security are all important factors. Fortunately, according to Statistics Canada, Canada enjoys a relatively low crime rate overall — the national Crime Severity Index fell 4% in 2024 and now sits just over one-third below its 1998 peak. Crime still happens, of course, so finding the safest provinces in Canada is worth investigating.
What Makes Canada Such a Special Place?
Canada is home to some of the most beautiful scenery, including untouched natural landscapes and abundant wildlife, such as moose, whales, polar bears, and a great diversity of birds.
Depending on the location, residents and visitors have access to three oceans (from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic), seemingly endless kilometres of mountains, and wide-open plains. And you can’t forget the gorgeous, historic, and exciting large cities.
What’s more, Canada has eight main geo-climatic regions for a wide diversity in climate and weather. With such tremendous variety, millions of people choose to live in and visit Canada every year.
Of course, one of the biggest considerations for choosing any destination is safety and security. So, what are the safest provinces in Canada?
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What Are the Safest Provinces in Canada in 2024?
By the 2024 Crime Severity Index, Ontario (60.7) is the safest province in Canada, edging out Quebec (63.0) — and both sit well below the national index of 77.9. Prince Edward Island (72.6) and Nova Scotia (75.5) round out the four safest. Ontario is home to many of Canada’s safest cities, while Quebec hosts perennial safe-city favourites like Lévis, Quebec City, Blainville, and Saguenay.
| Province (safest first) | 2024 Crime Severity Index | Change vs. 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 60.7 | −1% |
| Quebec | 63.0 | +1% |
| Prince Edward Island | 72.6 | −2% |
| Nova Scotia | 75.5 | +1% |
| New Brunswick | 84.5 | −4% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 89.3 | +2% |
| British Columbia | 93.0 | −11% |
| Alberta | 95.6 | −9% |
| Manitoba | 141.2 | −4% |
| Saskatchewan | 153.9 | −5% |
Which Provinces Are the Best to Live In?
This beautiful country has a lot to offer both residents and visitors. Some of the best places to live or travel to include:
- Ontario — the safest province by 2024 CSI — is home to Toronto, one of the biggest cities in Canada. This vibrant economic hub provides loads of job opportunities, beautiful parks, modern conveniences including great public transportation, and incredible diversity. Other major cities include Ottawa, London, and Mississauga, which provide great education systems, higher average incomes, and beautiful natural landscapes.
- Quebec isn’t just one of the safest provinces in Canada but also one of the best. While you’ll want to brush up on your French, the province provides large, vibrant cities like Montreal and Quebec City, iconic cultural hot spots, a relaxed, friendly vibe, and stunning wilderness.
- British Columbia provides a high standard of living, stunning views of snowcapped mountains and the Pacific Ocean, great outdoor opportunities, and a milder climate than much of Canada. While the cost of living can be intimidating in Vancouver, nearby Victoria, Nanaimo, Kamloops, and Kelowna are great alternatives with easy access to the outdoors, quality schools, and modern conveniences.
- Nova Scotia offers stunning scenic beauty and a relaxed yet wild lifestyle, along with a clean environment, lower property costs, and lots of peace and quiet — plus one of the lower provincial crime indexes (75.5). It’s a popular place to retire, work remotely, or simply slow down and connect with nature and neighbours.
Regardless of how safe your city or province is, there are good reasons to monitor your home to better protect your family. Monitoring doesn’t only safeguard homes from crime — plans also exist to monitor for fire, flood, and carbon monoxide, as well as medical emergencies, to help cover every contingency. Many Canadians choose professionally monitored home security for exactly that peace of mind.
