Crime Statistics released today show Manitoba has reclaimed the title of “Murder Capital of Canada”, but Progressive Conservative Justice Critic Gerald Hawranik says the ominous statistics don’t end there.

“In addition to a shocking 58 per cent jump in homicides last year, the report also shows that Manitoba is first in Canada when it comes to robbery, motor vehicle thefts and youth accused of homicides and attempted homicides,” Hawranik said, noting 2007 saw 62 homicides in Manitoba – an all time high since the NDP took office, with 33 accused being youths.  “I don’t know what more proof is needed for the NDP to acknowledge that they’ve got a crime epidemic on their hands.”

Hawranik also pointed to the city’s track record among major metropolitan areas, noting Winnipeg is first in: 

o        Homicide

o        Criminal Code offences

o        Robbery

o        Violent offences

o        Breaking and entering

o        Motor vehicle theft

Hawranik said despite the NDP’s own pre-budget survey highlighting crime is a serious concern for Manitobans, the NDP has failed to produce a plan to crack down on crime in our province.

“A full 95% of Manitobans agree that crime is the same or worse than it was five years ago, but the NDP didn’t even mention this detail in their news release on the survey,” Hawranik said. “Compared to the rest of Canada, our province and capital city are tops in the most dangerous offences, but tough on crime measures taken by this NDP government are non-existent.

“These crime stats should be used to help pinpoint the crime problems in our province, and at the very least, be enough for the Premier and Attorney General to pull their heads out of the sand and acknowledge the problem,” Hawranik said.