A national perception survey released Thursday shows that 57 percent of Canadians consider Toronto to be somewhat or very unsafe. Conducted by Liaison Strategies for Canadians, the poll places the city near the bottom of safety reputations among the country’s major urban centres.
The study, which sampled opinions from across Canada, asked respondents to rate how safe they felt major cities were. More than half of those surveyed expressed concerns about Toronto’s safety, a figure that positions the metropolis as one of the least trusted in terms of personal security.
Toronto, the nation’s largest city, has historically been viewed as a cultural and economic hub. The new perception data, however, suggests that the public’s sense of safety lags behind the city’s reputation. Analysts note that the poll’s findings do not align with official crime‑severity statistics, which often show Toronto performing better than many other large centres.
The discrepancy between perceived and actual safety levels underscores a gap between public sentiment and measured crime rates. While the survey does not provide reasons for the heightened sense of insecurity, it highlights the importance of public perception in shaping a city’s image. The results may influence how municipal officials and community groups address safety concerns, even as they continue to monitor objective crime data.
The Liaison Strategies poll adds to a growing body of research examining how Canadians view safety across the country’s urban areas. With Toronto now appearing less safe in the eyes of a majority of respondents, the city joins a list of major municipalities that must contend with both real and perceived security challenges.