DOWNWARD TREND CONTINUES

The downward trend in homicides continued in Canada last year, with the homicide rate reaching its lowest point since 1966, Statistics Canada reported Monday. The highest homicide rates continued to be in the West and North. Regina was the deadliest city, followed by Winnipeg. Here are the highlights:

DECREASE IN HOMICIDES

There were 505 homicides in 2013, 38 fewer than in 2012. This put the homicide rate at 1.44 victims per 100,000 population, an eight per cent drop from 2012 and the lowest rate since 1966. A dramatic drop in homicides in Quebec — there were 68 homicides, 40 fewer than in 2012 — contributed to the nationwide decline.

HIGHEST RATES IN THE WEST AND NORTH

Provincially, Manitoba had the highest homicide rate at 3.87 victims per 100,000 population, followed by Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Nunavut and the Northwest Territories had the highest homicide rates overall with 11.24 and 4.59 victims respectively per 100,000 population. Regina was the deadliest city with a homicide rate of 3.84 victims per 100,000 population, followed by Winnipeg and Thunder Bay, Ont.

STABBINGS ON THE RISE

There were 131 firearm-related homicides in 2013, down 41 from the previous year. The majority of shooting deaths involved a handgun. While firearm-related homicides dropped, fatal stabbings went up. There were 195 of them, an increase of 31 from the previous year. Stabbings accounted for 40 per cent of all homicides, while shootings constituted 27 per cent.

GANG HOMICIDES DROPPED

Police suspected the involvement of gangs in 85 homicides in 2013, a slight drop from the previous year. The gang-related homicide rate was highest in B.C. and Manitoba.

MOST HOMICIDES SOLVED

About three-quarters of homicides since 2003 have been solved. Of those, 69 per cent were solved within a week.