Canadian public safety perception trends

Recent surveys in different Canadian regions indicate varying levels of public concern regarding community safety and police services.

In the Niagara region, a 2026 Community Safety Survey revealed that while 69% of respondents feel safe in their own neighborhoods, only 45% feel safe in the Niagara region as a whole. The survey noted that 64% of participants believe community safety has worsened over the past year, with the lowest perceived safety levels reported in downtown areas, parks, transit, and road intersections. Regarding the Niagara Regional Police Service, 30% of respondents felt police visibility had decreased, and service-delivery metrics such as response times and case clarity received mixed reviews.

In Toronto, a Canada Pulse Insights poll showed that 35% of residents do not feel safe walking in their neighborhoods after dark. Although this reflects a 3% improvement from the previous year, anxiety remains high, particularly regarding safety on the TTC. While 71% of Torontonians rated police response times as good or great, 68% of those polled expressed worry that police might be too slow to respond if needed.