The Nunavut Court of Justice - Formative Evaluation

4. Findings: Overview of Population and Crime


4. Findings: Overview of Population and Crime

4.1. Introduction

This section of the report points out the relatively young population of Nunavut, and the relatively high rate of violent crimes in comparison to the rest of Canada. It is in this context that the NCJ must operate while attempting to meet the other challenges unique to Nunavut.

4.2. Population of Nunavut

As of July 1, 2005, the population of Nunavut was approximately 30,000.[5] This represents an increase of 6.7 percent since 2001, which compares to a 4.0 percent increase for the same period for Canada as a whole. In terms of age breakdown, Nunavut's 2005 population was as follows:

In comparison, the population infancy-14 years for Canada as a whole was 17.6 percent in 2005. This indicates the relatively high population of young people in Nunavut, a fact which key informants agree will continue to have a bearing on the justice system in view of the relative absence of educational and employment opportunities for youth and a lack of programming for youth at risk.[6]

The populations of Nunavut's 26 communities vary from Bathurst Inlet-Umingmaktok with 35 individuals to Iqaluit with approximately 6,000. Current population statistics are unavailable for specific communities, as the most recent information is based on the 2001 Census. However, based on the current total territorial population, the current average population of the remaining 24 communities (exclusive of Iqaluit and Bathurst Inlet-Umingmaktok) is 1,248.

4.3. Crimes by Offences: Canada, Northwest Territories, Nunavut

Table 1 indicates crime rates by offence per 100,000 population for Canada, the NWT and Nunavut.[7] The rates for both the NWT and Nunavut are higher than for Canada as a whole. Crimes of violence (e.g., assault, sexual assault) are extremely high in the territories relative to Canada. Similarly, the rate of break and enter is substantially higher in the territories.

Table 1: Crimes by offences: Canada, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, 2004
  Canada Northwest Territories Nunavut
  Rate per 100,000 population
All incidents 8,834.9 45,164.7 38,493.5
Criminal Code offences (excluding traffic offences) 8,050.6 42,125.7 36,685.3
Crimes of violence 946.1 6,865.2 7,883.6
Homicide 2.0 9.3 13.5
Attempted murder 2.2 7.0 23.6
Assaults (level 1 to 3)1 731.8 6,155.1 6,628.7
Sexual assault 73.7 418.1 941.2
Other sexual offences 8.2 25.7 40.5
Robbery 86.0 44.4 10.1
Other crimes of violence2 42.3 205.6 226.0
Property crimes 3,990.9 7,414.2 6,959.3
Breaking and entering 859.9 2,487.7 3,548.8
Motor vehicle theft 530.7 843.3 786.0
Theft over $5,000 54.1 95.8 43.9
Theft $5,000 and under 2,131.3 3,464.1 2,229.8
Possession of stolen goods 110.8 142.5 108.0
Frauds 303.9 380.8 242.9
Other Criminal Code offences 3,113.6 27,846.3 21,842.5
Criminal Code offences (traffic offences) 372.1 1,562.7 735.4
Impaired driving 247.2 1,371.2 580.2
Other Criminal Code traffic offences3 124.9 191.6 155.2
Federal statutes 412.3 1,476.3 1,072.7
Drugs 304.1 925.0 914.2
Other federal statutes 108.2 551.3 158.6

Table 2 indicates the rates of persons charged by type of offence per 100,000 population for Nunavut.[8] Comparisons with Canada are included for some categories. The charging rate is substantially higher in Nunavut than in Canada as a whole.

Table 2: Persons charged by type of offence: Nunavut, 2004
  Total persons charged Youths charged Adults charged
  Rate per 100,000 population
All incidents - Nunavut
(Canada)		 11,796.5
(2,286.7)		 12,627.5
(3,494.6)		 11,614.3
(2,163.4)
Criminal Code offences (excluding traffic offences) – Nunavut
(Canada)		 11,063.1
(1,774.7)		 12,522.9
(3,065.4)		 10,743.0
(1,643.0)
Crimes of violence – Nunavut
(Canada)		 5,444.5
(498.9)		 2,483.7
(788.2)		 6,093.8
(469.3)
Homicide 14.1 0.0 17.2
Attempted murder 28.2 26.1 28.7
Assaults (level 1 to 3)1 4,367.9 1,803.9 4,930.1
Sexual assault 771.1 366.0 859.9
Other sexual offences 14.1 52.3 5.7
Robbery 18.8 26.1 17.2
Other crimes of violence2 230.4 209.2 235.0
Property crimes – Nunavut
(Canada)		 2,745.8
(575.6)		 7,555.6
(1,189.9)		 1,691.1
(512.9)
Breaking and entering 1,970.0 5,908.5 1,106.4
Motor vehicle theft 272.7 888.9 137.6
Theft over $5,000 28.2 52.3 22.9
Theft $5,000 and under 286.8 418.3 258.0
Possession of stolen goods 112.8 287.6 74.5
Frauds 75.2 0.0 91.7
Other Criminal Code offences 2,872.7 2,483.7 2,958.0
Criminal Code offences (traffic offences) 437.3 0.0 533.1
Impaired driving 305.6 0.0 372.6
Other Criminal Code traffic offences3 131.6 0.0 160.5
Federal statutes 296.2 104.6 338.2
Drugs 263.3 26.1 315.3
Other federal statutes 32.9 78.4 22.9

The Statistics Canada data included in Tables 1 and 2 demonstrate the relatively high level of violent offending by youth and adults in Nunavut, as well as the relatively high rates of property crime, particularly break and enter. Both RCMP and Nunavut Corrections personnel have suggested that these rates will likely continue to rise in view of the relatively young age of Nunavut's population. Key informants view the lack of community level programming for youth as an especially serious contributing factor in the rising crime rates.

4.4. Summary

Nunavut is characterized by a fast growing, young population. Its proportion of young people infancy to 14 years is almost twice that for Canada as a whole. The territory has a higher rate of violent personal crime, particularly domestic abuse and sexual assault, in comparison to Canada. Property crime, especially break and enter, are also proportionately high compared to the rest of Canada. Key informants are concerned that the incidence of criminal behavior will increase in the near future.