The horrifying Quebec City mosque attack that left six men dead made headlines around the world – but new numbers on crime from Statistics Canada show Quebec City is one of the safest cities in the country.
“Not only is it one of the safest in the country, it actually ranks as having the lowest crime severity index,” said Stats Can spokesperson Warren Silver. “What it tells us is of the crimes being committed across the country, the crime we're seeing in Quebec City tends to be the least severe of everywhere else.”
Serious, violent crimes, such as homicides, are rare.
“A few of the things that went up that drove the crime there are forcible confinement, kidnapping and fraud,” said Silver.
Overall, it's good news for Quebec City’s police department.
“We can tell that the city is a safe place for all the citizens who are living here and anybody who will visit the city of Quebec City,” said Quebec police spokesperson Pierre Poirier.
Mayor Regis Labeaume said the level of safety is part of what gives Quebec City such a good reputation.
“It's very special in Quebec City. When I have this kind of discussion with some American mayors, with some European mayors, they're amazed to see how quiet our people are, how safe they are, and how civilized they are,” he said.
