In 1996, Manitoba recorded the highest provincial homicide rate per 100,000 population, its highest since 1987, followed by British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

The increase in the number of homicides at the national level between 1995 and 1996 was due in part to an increase in multiple victim homicides, as well as increases in eight of the provinces, most notably Manitoba (+18), Quebec (+18), and Saskatchewan (+10).

Between 1995 and 1996, the homicide rate increased in 7 of the provinces, remained stable in Prince Edward Island, and decreased in New Brunswick and Alberta.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta all reported 1996 homicide rates that were lower than the average for the previous ten years.

Alberta's homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 population in 1996 was lower than the national rate of 2.11 and was the lowest rate recorded among the western provinces. Only Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Ontario recorded rates lower than Alberta's in 1996.