“The rate of firearm homicides per 100,000 population has generally been declining since the mid-1970s and, in 2011, reached its lowest point in almost 50 years.”
The Canadian murder weapon of choice is now the blade.
“An increase in stabbings accounted for virtually the entire increase in homicides in 2011,” the federal data agency said.
It said there were 39 more stabbings in 2011 compared to 2010. Overall, stabbings accounted for 35 per cent of homicides, firearms for 27 per cent, beatings for 22 per cent and strangulation for seven per cent.