PM plays with numbers on gang-related homicides

“Let us not delude ourselves, it is getting worse, not better. Between 2000 and 2008, the number of homicides in Canada attributed to gangs doubled from one in eight to one in four.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper in announcing government funding for an anti-gang program.

It’s unfortunate that Stephen Harper chose Surrey, B.C., to make his remarks about gang-related crime rates “getting worse.” Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts has been trying so hard to change the image of the municipality, backed with statistics that show the city’s crime rate has decreased every year since 2003.

Yet Mr. Harper did not pull crime statistics out of thin air. He was partly right in what he said. But in promoting the Conservative government’s approach to crime, Mr. Harper ignored general trends in homicide. Relying on out-of-date statistics, he distorted the numbers to back up his political agenda.

The Prime Minister made the comments as he announced the renewal of financial support for a federal $37.5-million youth-crime prevention program, a worthwhile initiative that is helping young people make better decisions in their lives.

His comments reflect Statistics Canada figures that show gang-related homicides nationally jumped to 138 in 2008, from 72 in the year 2000. But before looking at those numbers, consider some perspective from Statistics Canada.

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