Toronto’s population has also increased significantly since previous lows, meaning the homicide rate is even lower.
A growing talking point utilized by those seeking to spread divisive narratives regarding race and diversity centres around the idea that bringing different people together in the same place leads to less security and more risk.
However, Toronto is one of the strongest living examples that counters those narratives. One of the most – perhaps the most – diverse cities on the planet, Toronto is a true ‘world city’ where you can find people of nearly every background, culture, faith, and ideology, all making it work in a successful and dynamic city.
Toronto is ranked the sixth safest major city in the world, and the safest major city in North America, showing that safety and diversity can go hand in hand.
And new data shows that – when it comes to some of the most serious forms of crime – Toronto is on track for a new record low.
So far, Toronto has recorded 39 homicides, a low not seen in decades. For comparison, Toronto recorded 55 murders in 1990, at a time when the population was smaller. Toronto is likely to finish the year with a total number of homicides slightly above the previous low of 35 in 1974 – a time when the population of the city was significantly smaller.
This is not to say that Toronto – like any city – doesn’t have its issues with crime and housing. Like much of Canada, Toronto has seen a significant rise in antisemitism, and the city is not immune to the rise of extremism. That said, Toronto is a powerful counterexample to both the idea that everything is becoming more dangerous (something fueled by social media and the financial reward that comes with stoking outrage, as worsening situations garner attention while improvements are often overlooked) and the notion that diverse cities cannot work.
Toronto is proving that a diverse city can be a safe and successful city, and that bodes well not only for Toronto’s residents but for Canadians as a whole.
Spencer Fernando
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