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Thu, July 19, 2007  
 
'Peg crime capitalStatsCan says we're No. 1 in nation  
By PAUL TURENNE, SUN MEDIA  
 
 
 
 
Violent crime on rise  
 
 
Stats Canada's 2006 survey of crime has Winnipeg leading the country in several categories. (C. Procaylo/Sun Media files)  
It will come as no surprise to any Winnipegger who's had his or her car stolen, garage broken into or corner convenience store robbed - the manitoba capital has the highest crime rate among major cities in CANADA.  
 
Statistics Canada released its 2006 crime rates survey yesterday, topped by the good news the crime rate countrywide hit a 25-year low last year, with the rate falling in every province and territory. The report noted the national crime rate has fallen roughly 30% since it reached an all-time high in 1991.  
 
SMALL COMFORT  
 
That news is small comfort to Manitobans who experience among the highest crime rates in Canada.  
 
Manitoba ranked second among the provinces in total crime and violent crime, behind only Saskatchewan, as well as second behind B.C. in property crime.  
 
 
Crime rates are calculated by dividing the number of incidents by the population.  
 
Manitoba's crime rate dropped 1% last year compared to 2005. That was the smallest drop in the country.  
 
Winnipeg was crowned Canada's auto theft capital by a landslide, with nearly double the rate of any other city, and also led the country in robberies.  
 
Winnipeg also ranked first among Canada's nine largest cities in total crime, violent crime and property crime, and was second only to Edmonton in homicides and Vancouver in break-ins.  
 
"Although it's not a surprise, I do think Winnipeggers have a right to be disappointed," said Tory justice critic Kelvin Goertzen. "Manitobans are being left behind on the crime reduction that's happening in other jurisdictions."  
 
NDP Justice Minister Dave Chomiak said crime problems are being addressed.  
 
"You can't pretend that there's not some problems. There are problems and we're dealing with them," said Chomiak.  
 
CRIMINAL LIFESTYLE  
 
Many of the government's initiatives, like the Lighthouses program for which the province announced four new locations yesterday, are focused on getting youth out of the criminal lifestyle.  
 
"The roots of all this will take a period of time to have an impact," said Chomiak. "Disaffected youth can find a home in a gang and make money, and that's the fundamental thing we have to fight."  
 
Goertzen agreed programs like Lighthouses are helpful but added criminals need increased deterrents, including a higher likelihood of getting caught.  
 
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CRIME RANKING  
 
Where Winnipeg ranked per capita among Canada's nine largest cities (more than 500,000 people)  
 
Homicide - 2  
 
Robbery - 1  
 
Auto theft - 1  
 
Break-ins - 2  
 
Total violent crime - 1  
 
Total property crime - 1  
 
Total crime - 1