As far as the crime severity index goes, in Alberta between 2006 and 2016 there was a 12% decrease in crime severity. From 2006 to 2016, in Manitoba, there was a 27% decrease in crime severity, and in Saskatchewan there was a 13% decrease. Now you might say that this has something to do with this index just looking at rates in cities in those provinces, but the Western Producer magazine said, “rural crime rates (per 100,000 people) are roughly constant”. However, it does acknowledge that property theft is up.
When you're telling the committee that we should look at these issues, are you recommending that we look at instances like property crime that appear to be on the increase? The other crimes, particularly the severe crimes, are on the decrease; there's no question about that.