What this measures
Dimension: Community safety
This indicator reports the proportion of the population who feel very or somewhat safe from crime when walking alone after dark. In 2009, eight out of ten Canadians aged 15 and over reported feeling very or somewhat safe walking alone in the dark. In Canada, there has been growth in feelings of security over the past 10 years that parallels a decline in the rate of crime over the same time period.
Why this matters
Threat of violence and crime reduces one’s quality of life. As such, high levels of perceived safety are an indicator of community vitality.