North America
Is Canada safe?
L1Exercise normal precautions
Is Canada safe?
One of the safer countries for solo travelers. Main issues are petty theft and car break-ins in big cities, plus visible drug use and disorder in some downtown areas.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-06-10.
- Homicide rate: 2.0 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 5.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
- Solo women: Safe for solo women with normal city precautions; use rideshare late at night and tell someone your plans before remote hikes.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Car break-ins and bike theft in cities
- Visible drug use and disorder in some downtown cores
- Wildfire smoke in summer and severe winter cold
- Remote hikes: bears, fast weather changes, no cell signal
Common scams
- Fake eTA sites charging extra; the official fee is C$7
- Calls impersonating tax or immigration officials demanding payment
Laws visitors break by accident
- Cannabis is legal domestically, but carrying it across the international border is a serious crime.
- Drinking age is 18 or 19 depending on province; open alcohol in public is mostly illegal.
- Holding a phone while driving brings heavy fines in every province.
Safety by place in Canada
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Banff | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Quebec City | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Whistler | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Ottawa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Victoria | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Jasper | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Tofino | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Mont-Tremblant | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Prince Edward Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Toronto | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vancouver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Montreal | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Niagara Falls | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Calgary | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Halifax | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Edmonton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kelowna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yellowknife | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Canada safe for tourists?
One of the safer countries for solo travelers. Main issues are petty theft and car break-ins in big cities, plus visible drug use and disorder in some downtown areas.
Is Canada safe for solo female travelers?
Safe for solo women with normal city precautions; use rideshare late at night and tell someone your plans before remote hikes.
What is the emergency number in Canada?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- eTA, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Visit Canada, IRCC
- Speedtest Global Index: Canada
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.