Photo:Reuters

The northern territory of Yukon holds a place that no community would wish for — it is among the regions with the highest crime rates in Canada. According to official data from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics and police reports compiled by Statistics Canada, Yukon recorded over 11,000 criminal incidents in 2024 alone. This places Yukon as the third-highest in crime rates across the country, behind only Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. While the overall crime rate dropped slightly by 1.5% from 2023, it remains alarmingly high at more than 21,800 incidents for every 100,000 residents, far exceeding the national average. This situation raises important questions about safety, social impact, and the steps being taken to address this ongoing problem.

Breaking down these numbers reveals that over half of these crimes were property offences—such as theft, break-ins, and vandalism—signifying that many residents face everyday threats to their homes and belongings. Violent crimes accounted for just over 2,300 incidents, with assaults being the most common type. The rate of violent crime in Yukon is more than three times the average across Canada, highlighting an urgent public safety concern that affects individuals and communities deeply. Additionally, about one-quarter of crimes fall into other categories like disturbing the peace and breaches of court orders, contributing further to Yukon’s challenging crime profile.

Adding complexity to Yukon’s crime landscape is the significant presence and growth of organized crime within the territory. A report released in early 2025 by the Criminal Intelligence Service British Columbia/Yukon, backed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), reveals that Yukon has become a lucrative market for organized crime networks originating mainly from British Columbia and Alberta. These groups have expanded their drug operations into Yukon, trafficking large quantities of cocaine—the most commonly used illegal drug in the region. Estimates show that 15 to 20 kilograms of high-purity cocaine are brought into and sold within Yukon monthly, representing a 75% increase since 2021.

This increase in drug trafficking has serious consequences. The report notes that while large cocaine seizures during 2024 temporarily disrupted the supply chains and may have helped reduce drug-related deaths so far this year, overdose emergency room visits are actually rising. The situation is dire, with opioid and other illicit drug use causing more early deaths than alcohol, a notable shift in public health and safety challenges. The estimated social and economic cost tied to illicit drugs in Yukon was around $223 million in 2021, with projections suggesting it could exceed $245 million by 2026.

Despite the harsh realities, efforts are being made to tackle crime and its underlying causes. The Yukon government has increased funding for policing and invested in harm reduction programs. These initiatives, combined with crime prevention efforts and community support programs, have started showing some positive effects. However, Yukon’s policing budget remains the lowest per capita compared to Canada’s other northern territories, indicating a need for greater resources to match the scale of challenges faced.

Territorial officials, including Justice Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee, acknowledge that organized crime influences many aspects of Yukon’s society. It not only fuels violence and property crime but also impacts the mental and physical well-being of its most vulnerable populations. Collaborative efforts involving the RCMP, health and social services, and community organizations are essential to create safer environments and curb the harmful impacts of crime and substance use.