RCMP 2023 Public Disclosure Occurrence Report
On this page
List of charts
- Chart 1: Atlantic occurrences
- Chart 2: Central occurrences
- Chart 3: Western occurrences
- Chart 4: Northern occurrences
- Chart 5: Atlantic Wellbeing check occurrences
- Chart 6: Central Wellbeing check occurrences
- Chart 7: Western Wellbeing check occurrences
- Chart 8: Northern Wellbeing check occurrences
- Chart 9: Atlantic mental health-related occurrences
- Chart 10: Central mental health-related occurrences
- Chart 11: Western mental health-related occurrences
- Chart 12: Northern mental health-related occurrences
List of acronyms and abbreviations
- EDP
- emotionally disturbed person
- IPTA
- Involuntary Psychiatric Transport Act
- RCMP
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
To promote trust, transparency, and accountability for the Canadian public, the RCMP is committed to open, proactive and routine disclosure of police information.
This report includes the number of occurrences, by province and territory, entered into the RCMP's Operational Electronic Documents and Records Management Systems for the past 10 years, except British Columbia where available data goes back to 2018. Data from the previous calendar year is revised to represent updates made to occurrences within the Operational Electronic Documents and Records Management Systems.
An occurrence can be any type of police-related event or activity that is entered into police records management systems. It could be generated from a call for service or something that is self-generated by a police officer, like stopping a driver they believe is impaired.
Wellbeing and wellness checks are defined as an occurrence where a request for police assistance is made based on a concern for the safety of a person, whereby a member checks a residence or location to verify the safety and condition of a person. Concerns may involve persons whose personal or physical safety is reasonably believed to be in danger, including, but not limited to, a person suffering from a medical illness or experiencing a mental health crisis.
It is important to note that mental health legislation is established by provinces and territories. Laws, regulations, procedures and reporting requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For this reason, the availability of mental health and well-being check occurrence data varies.
Note
Provincial, Territorial and regional reporting of RCMP occurrences may include specific regional codes. Due to these differing methodologies, National RCMP occurrence reporting may differ from local reporting.
Key highlights
- The total number of occurrences footnote 1 reported across the country by the RCMP in 2023 decreased by less than 0.1%, from 2,967,796 in 2022 to 2,966,534 in 2023.
- In 2023, half the provinces and territories reported an increase in occurrences over the previous year, while the other half reported a slight decrease in occurrences.
- Since 2019, there has only been a 1% decrease in the total number of occurrences reported by the RCMP.
- The total number of wellbeing check footnote 2 occurrences increased by 27% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This reflects the highest number of wellbeing checks reported in the last 8 years. There were 127,010 wellbeing checks reported in 2023, compared to only 12,614 wellbeing checks reported in 2016.
- Mental health-related calls accounted for 5% of all occurrences reported to the RCMP. The number of mental health-related occurrences reported by the RCMP in 2023 increased by 4,164 occurrences, representing a 3% increase from 2022.
RCMP count of occurrence
Atlantic region
In 2023, there was a small increase in reported occurrences in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick compared to 2022. Whereas the number of reported occurrences slightly decreased in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia for the same period. Over the last 5 years, most of the Atlantic regions reported a 4% increase in reported occurrences, with the exception of Nova Scotia that reported a 3% decrease.
Chart 1: Atlantic occurrences Chart 1 note 1
| Province | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 1 note 2 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 54,365 | 56,366 | 59,788 | 57,667 | 56,910 | 57,383 | 61,070 | 63,973 | 62,562 | 64,221 |
| Prince Edward Island | 15,814 | 15,064 | 16,812 | 17,054 | 18,073 | 18,106 | 18,681 | 25,196 | 25,277 | 23,046 |
| Nova Scotia Chart 1 note 3 | 144,331 | 142,290 | 145,576 | 142,520 | 143,027 | 144,626 | 136,668 | 139,905 | 138,137 | 133,818 |
| New Brunswick | 98,823 | 101,760 | 110,785 | 120,933 | 123,956 | 124,422 | 151,980 | 162,189 | 155,246 | 155,741 |
Central region
The total number of occurrences reported in Ontario has remained relatively stable since 2021 with a modest 1% decrease in the number of occurrences reported in the province in 2023. In contrast, the number of total occurrences reported in Quebec decreased by 67% for the same year. This sharp decrease in occurrences reported in Quebec is attributed to the high number of occurrences reported in 2022 due to the reopening of the Canada-US border after the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, Quebec has reported a 36% decrease in occurrences over the last 5 years. Of note, the RCMP does not provide provincial or municipal frontline policing services in either province.
Chart 2: Central occurrences
| Province | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 2 note 1 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec Chart 2 note 2 | 9,846 | 8,429 | 7,993 | 14,347 | 14,930 | 13,101 | 10,908 | 6,405 | 24,246 | 7,999 |
| Ontario Chart 2 note 2 Chart 2 note 3 | 24,758 | 23,991 | 25,611 | 26,596 | 29,173 | 25,789 | 17,739 | 20,776 | 21,613 | 21,361 |
Western region
British Columbia reported a 3% increase in total reported occurrences in 2023, whereas Manitoba and Alberta reported 1% and 2% decreases, respectively. In comparison, Saskatchewan did not experience any significant change in reported total occurrences in 2023. Saskatchewan continues a significant 10-year upwards trend while Alberta is experiencing the largest decrease of any contract province within the last 5 years.
Chart 3: Western occurrences Chart 3 note 1
| Province | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 3 note 2 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | 172,336 | 189,640 | 204,771 | 203,612 | 199,570 | 202,315 | 203,846 | 211,990 | 210,795 | 208,623 |
| Saskatchewan Chart 3 note 3 | 242,268 | 270,259 | 278,936 | 284,864 | 294,398 | 321,541 | 322,882 | 339,528 | 347,303 | 347,571 |
| Alberta | 639,452 | 638,147 | 623,659 | 650,080 | 797,798 | 803,019 | 721,688 | 703,490 | 687,409 | 670,498 |
| British Columbia Chart 3 note 4 | 1,222,319 | 1,261,309 | 1,221,495 | 1,237,762 | 1,191,954 | 1,227,490 |
Northern region
In 2023, all Territories reported an increase in the number of occurrences (between 1% and 7%), compared to 2022. The number of occurrences reported in the Northern territories has been trending upward over the last 10 years. Specifically, Nunavut reported a significant increase – 28% in occurrences since 2014.
Chart 4: Northern occurrences
| Territory | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 4 note 1 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | 21,876 | 22,185 | 22,496 | 21,992 | 23,032 | 24,081 | 24,010 | 24,315 | 24,315 | 24,500 |
| Northwest Territories | 38,938 | 39,671 | 36,690 | 36,053 | 37,107 | 39,511 | 43,434 | 44,242 | 44,819 | 45,168 |
| Nunavut | 21,075 | 21,949 | 23,082 | 23,353 | 27,032 | 30,148 | 33,139 | 34,260 | 34,120 | 36,498 |
Wellbeing check occurrences
Atlantic region
In 2023, all Atlantic provinces reported significant increases in wellbeing check occurrences (between 32% and 56% compared to the previous year). Over the last 8 years, the number of wellbeing check occurrences have been trending upwards. For all Atlantic provinces, the number of reported wellbeing check occurrences has nearly tripled since 2016, when tracking was first established.
Chart 5: Atlantic Wellbeing check occurrences Chart 5 note 1 Chart 5 note 2
| Province | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 5 note 3 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 375 | 453 | 547 | 565 | 808 | 1,152 | 933 | 1,454 |
| Prince Edward Island | 175 | 233 | 392 | 443 | 350 | 442 | 449 | 681 |
| Nova Scotia Chart 5 note 4 | 1,020 | 1,587 | 1,711 | 2,174 | 2,734 | 3,443 | 3,337 | 4,410 |
| New Brunswick | 1,645 | 2,688 | 2,167 | 2,313 | 2,609 | 3,268 | 4,047 | 5,557 |
Central region
Quebec is the only province that reported a slight decrease in wellbeing checks in 2023. Ontario reported a 41% increase in wellbeing check occurrences from the previous year, from 270 occurrences in 2022, to 382 in 2023. Of note, the RCMP does not provide provincial or municipal policing frontline services in either province.
Chart 6: Central Wellbeing check occurrences Chart 6 note 1
| Province | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 6 note 2 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec Chart 6 note 3 | 79 | 125 | 161 | 227 | 140 | 191 | 159 | 151 |
| Ontario Chart 6 note 3 Chart 6 note 4 | 77 | 141 | 379 | 328 | 211 | 214 | 270 | 382 |
Western region
All Western provinces have reported an increase in occurrences in 2023, compared to 2022. Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan reported over double the number of Wellbeing occurrences (+54% to +62%) when compared to the previous year. British Columbia reported a 13% increase in the same year. Wellbeing check occurrences in British Columbia accounted for 57% of all Wellbeing check occurrences in RCMP jurisdiction, while the province accounted for 41% of all RCMP occurrences. The Western provinces continue on an upward trend of reported Wellbeing occurrences increasing each year.
Chart 7: Western Wellbeing check occurrences Chart 7 note 1 Chart 7 note 2
| Province | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 7 note 3 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | 1,218 | 1,865 | 2,313 | 2,972 | 3,588 | 4,820 | 3,739 | 6,066 |
| Saskatchewan Chart 7 note 4 | 1,485 | 2,045 | 2,953 | 3,508 | 4,490 | 5,272 | 3,987 | 6,136 |
| Alberta | 5,159 | 7,972 | 9,846 | 12,029 | 15,532 | 18,254 | 15,057 | 23,682 |
| British Columbia Chart 7 note 5 | 47,153 | 61,504 | 64,580 | 72,928 |
Northern region
All Territories reported increases in wellbeing check occurrences in 2023, compared to the previous year. Northwest territories reported the highest increase of occurrences nationally, 999 more in 2023, representing a 107% increase. Nunavut and Yukon reported significant year-over-year increases of 73% and 47%, respectively.
Chart 8: Northern Wellbeing check occurrences Chart 8 note 1
| Territory | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 8 note 2 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | 591 | 642 | 914 | 920 | 1,268 | 1,209 | 864 | 1,269 |
| Northwest Territories | 410 | 617 | 781 | 991 | 1,267 | 1,441 | 937 | 1,936 |
| Nunavut | 380 | 540 | 955 | 1,314 | 1,390 | 1,537 | 1,366 | 2,358 |
Mental health-related occurrences
Atlantic region
In 2023, all Atlantic provinces reported increases in mental health-related occurrences. Prince Edward Island reported 1,169 mental health-related occurrences in 2023, representing an 18% increase from the previous year. Newfoundland and Labrador reported a 7% increase, whereas Nova Scotia and New Brunswick reported 5% and 1% increases, respectively. These increases contributed to the overall upward trend in Mental-Health related occurrences in the region.
Chart 9: Atlantic mental health-related occurrences Chart 9 note 1 Chart 9 note 2
| Province | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 9 note 3 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2,148 | 2,313 | 2,464 | 2,711 | 2,854 | 3,168 | 3,795 | 4,686 | 4,569 | 4,867 |
| Prince Edward Island | 464 | 464 | 550 | 692 | 874 | 871 | 757 | 909 | 989 | 1,169 |
| Nova Scotia Chart 9 note 4 | 3,339 | 3,987 | 4,817 | 5,957 | 5,876 | 5,721 | 5,987 | 6,289 | 6,713 | 7,081 |
| New Brunswick | 3,939 | 4,534 | 4,568 | 4,959 | 5,776 | 6,187 | 6,061 | 6,499 | 6,741 | 6,790 |
Central region
Ontario reported an annual decrease of 6% in mental health-related occurrences in 2023. In comparison, Quebec reported a slight increase of 4% from 49 to 51 occurrences. Of note, the RCMP does not provide provincial or municipal frontline policing services in either province.
Chart 10: Central mental health-related occurrences Chart 10 note 1
| Province | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 10 note 2 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec Chart 10 note 3 | 95 | 83 | 94 | 66 | 41 | 39 | 63 | 69 | 49 | 51 |
| Ontario Chart 10 note 3 Chart 10 note 4 | 121 | 194 | 207 | 283 | 300 | 192 | 116 | 168 | 144 | 136 |
Western region
In 2023, Manitoba was the only Western Province that reported a slight decrease (-0.4%) in mental health-related occurrences. All of the other Western provinces reported a 2% to 5% increase in these types of occurrences. Nationally, British Columbia accounts for nearly half (49%) of the RCMP’s reported mental health-related occurrences. The Western provinces continue to show an upward trend of reported mental health-related occurrences over the last 5 years.
Chart 11: Western mental health-related occurrences Chart 11 note 1 Chart 11 note 2
| Province | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 11 note 3 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | 5,586 | 6,110 | 6,916 | 7,321 | 6,877 | 7,181 | 8,075 | 9,066 | 8,974 | 8,940 |
| Saskatchewan Chart 11 note 4 | 5,117 | 5,758 | 6,510 | 7,517 | 7,541 | 8,170 | 10,044 | 10,729 | 11,120 | 11,671 |
| Alberta | 15,525 | 16,766 | 17,345 | 18,883 | 20,254 | 20,710 | 23,372 | 25,589 | 24,905 | 25,998 |
| British Columbia Chart 11 note 5 | 63,787 | 65,967 | 69,845 | 73,044 | 69,404 | 70,804 |
Northern region
In 2023, the Yukon (+12%) and Nunavut (+6%) reported slight increases in mental health-related occurrences, compared to 2022. The Northwest Territories on the other hand, reported a slight decrease (-2%) in mental health-related occurrences for the same year. The Northern Region shows a significant upward trend over the last 10 years, representing a 26% to 44% increase of mental health-related occurrences.
Chart 12: Northern mental health-related occurrences Chart 12 note 1
| Territory | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 Chart 12 note 2 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | 504 | 613 | 731 | 716 | 695 | 1,001 | 1,064 | 993 | 932 | 1,041 |
| Northwest Territories | 1,059 | 1,209 | 1,148 | 1,138 | 1,355 | 1,554 | 1,584 | 1,649 | 1,895 | 1,853 |
| Nunavut | 1,458 | 1,520 | 1,864 | 1,667 | 2,093 | 2,519 | 2,686 | 3,031 | 3,153 | 3,351 |
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