Immigration and Crime in Canadian Cities, 1976-2011

• In Event: Untangling the Macro-Contextual Link Between Immigration and Crime

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between changes in immigration and changes in crime rates for Canadian cities during the period 1976-2011. Based on Canadian Census and Uniform Crime Reporting data, findings from fixed effects regression models suggest that there is a negative relationship between changes in immigration and changes in crime rates in Canadian cities for the period 1976-2011. Both possibilities of a negative relationship were supported. Increases in immigration were associated with decreases in crime rates whereas decreases in immigration were associated with increases in crime rates. Implications for policy and research are further discussed.

Author

• Maria Jung, University of Toronto