New Brunswick was the only province in Canada to see its crime severity index score increase year-to-year in 2025, with Saint John seeing the largest increase of any metropolitan area, according to new numbers from Statistics Canada. New Brunswick’s crime severity index value was 90.4 last year, up six per cent from 2024. Nunavut was the only territory to see its crime severity value increase year-to-year, up 10 per cent to 461.2. Nationally, the crime severity index (CSI) dropped to a value of 75.01 in 2025. Statistics Canada says it marks the second consecutive annual decrease nationally, following an upward trend that began in 2015 (ultimately reaching 81.27 in 2023). Whereas the traditionally reported crime rate measures every criminal offence equally, the crime severity index measures more violent and severe crimes with greater weight. Statistics Canada describes CSI as a measurement that “reflects changes in the volume of crime relative to the population, the average severity of crime, or both.” The crime severity index was first developed in 2009. Nova Scotia’s crime severity index value in 2025 was 73, down three per cent from 2024. On Prince Edward Island, the crime severity index value was down six per cent to 68.4. Looking at data from census metropolitan areas (CMA) across the Maritimes, the crime severity index went down six per cent in Halifax, to 68.6. At the same time, it went up in New Brunswick’s three largest cities year-to-year: Saint John recorded the largest crime severity index increase of any census metropolitan area, according to Statistics Canada. The Saint John Police Force said it investigated six homicides and two attempted homicides in 2025, compared to the investigation of three homicides in 2024. “The seriousness of those offences would significantly impact the CSI,” said a statement from the Saint John Police Force on Wednesday. The data from Saint John also includes Kennebecasis Regional Police, Hampton RCMP and Grand Bay/Westfield RCMP. Crime rate Nationally, the crime rate went down two per cent to 5,585 incidents per 100,000 population in 2025. “When compared with the (crime severity index), this suggests that the overall severity of crime declined more than the volume of crime, as there was a steeper percentage decline in the CSI,” said Statistics Canada in a statement. Amongst the findings nationally, Statistics Canada said there were fewer reports of homicides, gang-related homicides, child sexual abuse and exploitation, fraud and extortion, and car thefts, along with break and enters in 2025. While the overall crime rates declined nationally, Statistics Canada said shoplifting of $5,000 or under increased for the fifth year in a row, going up 11 per cent from 2024. Minor theft, or theft under $5,000, went down five per cent in 2025 for the third year in a row. The 2025 crime rates for each Maritime province, with year-to-year changes, are: The 2024 crime rates for census metropolitan areas in the Maritimes, with year-to-year changes, are: With files from CTV News’ Ted Ballantyne For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
