Criminal Harassment Statistics in Canada
Criminal Code — Section 264
Criminal Harassment in Canada: the numbers
Police-reported incidents, Statistics Canada table 35-10-0177, 2015 to 2025.
35,618
Incidents reported by police, 2025
85.5
Rate per 100,000 people
+52%
Change in rate since 2015
42%
Incidents cleared by a charge
Rate per 100,000 people, by year
Rate by province and territory, 2025
- 1.Northwest Territories226.3
- 2.Nunavut222.3
- 3.Yukon182.3
- 4.Prince Edward Island142.9
- 5.New Brunswick130.7
- 6.Quebec126.0
- 7.Newfoundland and Labrador124.9
- 8.Nova Scotia88.4
- 9.Ontario81.5
- 10.Saskatchewan76.2
- 11.Alberta65.6
- 12.British Columbia50.6
- 13.Manitoba29.4
Highest rates among metro areas, 2025
- 1.Belleville-Quinte West205.9
- 2.St. John's173.1
- 3.Québec167.1
- 4.Thunder Bay158.4
- 5.Saguenay143.0
- 6.Brantford130.7
- 7.Trois-Rivières127.9
- 8.Drummondville126.2
- 9.Moncton111.0
- 10.Kingston106.9
What the law says
Criminal harassment occurs when a person, without lawful authority and knowing (or being reckless as to whether) another person is harassed, engages in conduct that causes that person to reasonably fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them. This includes repeatedly following, repeatedly communicating, watching or besetting a dwelling, or engaging in threatening conduct directed at the victim or their family.
Penalties
Classification
Hybrid offence — can be prosecuted as summary or indictable.
Maximum Penalty
Maximum 10 years imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many criminal harassment incidents are reported in Canada?
Police in Canada reported 35,618 incidents in 2025, a rate of 85.5 per 100,000 people (Statistics Canada).
Is criminal harassment going up in Canada?
Yes. The police-reported rate rose 52% from 2015 to 2025.
Which province has the highest criminal harassment rate?
Northwest Territories had the highest rate in 2025: 226.3 per 100,000 people.
How often does criminal harassment lead to charges?
In 2025, 42% of reported incidents were cleared by a charge, and 12,955 people were charged (12,326 adults, 629 youth).
Related Offences
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