Overview
- The Liaison Strategies poll released Sept. 3 asked 1,500 Canadian adults and found 57% say Toronto is somewhat or very unsafe, giving the city a net safety score of −18.
- Winnipeg ranked worst in perception with 59% calling it unsafe and a net score of −28, a view that aligns with its higher official Crime Severity Index.
- Only 12% of respondents said crime statistics drive their impressions; about 28% pointed to news coverage and 23% cited personal experience as main influences.
- The survey shows clear demographic and regional differences: women reported sharper safety concerns in several major cities and Quebec City and Ottawa topped the list as the safest.
- Liaison and analysts warn the gap between reputation and data can harm residents, visitors and investors and that repairing a damaged city image can take years.