Is Toronto safe? 🇨🇦

Toronto is very safe for travelers, with a composite safety index of 91/100 and official advisories at Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions from both the U.S. and UK governments. Violent crime remains low compared to peer cities, and the city benefits from strong institutions, effective policing, and excellent healthcare access. The main risks for visitors are petty theft and scams, not violent encounters.

Recent events from mid-2026 include a tragic mass shooting at a Latin street festival in July that left two dead, which police have treated as an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public. In August, Toronto police launched a hate crime investigation after a protest speaker near the U.S. Consulate used antisemitic tropes, and two individuals were arrested in connection with a shooting near the consulate. Additionally, sustained anti-Zionist activism at a downtown intersection led to multiple hate crime arrests. These incidents, while serious, are localized and do not reflect broad safety trends; they have, however, contributed to some visitor unease, particularly around certain protest zones and large gatherings.

To stay safe, visitors should remain vigilant against pickpocketing in high-traffic areas like the PATH underground network, Yonge-Dundas Square, and crowded TTC streetcars and subways — keep bags closed and valuables out of easy reach. Be wary of common scams: fake officers demanding immediate payment or deportation, taxi drivers swapping your credit card with a cancelled one, and fraudulent websites charging for free eTA or visa applications. Use official transit payment methods, verify any official contact by calling police directly, and stick to well-lit, populated streets at night, especially if unfamiliar with neighborhoods like Regent Park, Moss Park, or parts of Jane and Finch after dark. Overall, Toronto offers a secure environment for travelers who exercise normal city awareness.