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The number of fatal incidents involving police officers in Canada has surged in recent years, revealing a troubling trend in the relationship between law enforcement and civilian oversight. A recent report from Carleton University’s research initiative, Tracking (In)Justice, highlights a significant increase in deadly confrontations, raising critical questions about accountability and the effectiveness of oversight agencies.
Alarming Statistics on Police Violence
According to the report, the 2020s have seen a sharp escalation in police-related fatalities, with more than 50 deaths recorded annually. In stark contrast, the average number of fatalities between 2000 and 2014 was just 24 per year. This dramatic rise underscores the urgent need for a thorough examination of police practices and the systems intended to hold them accountable.
The study draws upon publicly available data, including government reports and media coverage, due to inconsistencies in how police-involved deaths are documented across the country. Funded in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the research encompasses a broad range of incidents, including police shootings, deaths resulting from car chases, and outcomes from wellness checks.
Rare Criminal Charges Against Officers
The report reveals a stark reality: criminal charges against officers involved in these fatalities are exceedingly rare. In fact, officers face charges in only approximately one out of every 25 incidents. Most cases that do reach the courts are often dismissed before trial, and successful prosecutions are almost non-existent. The analysis focused on 333 deaths that occurred between 2020 and 2025, with oversight agencies opting not to lay charges in nearly 96% of these cases.
Professor Alexander McClelland, who led the research, expressed concern over the implications of these findings. He noted that the lack of accountability may indicate a systemic failure in civilian oversight. “What is happening with de-escalation? Why are police relying so heavily on firearms?” he questioned, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
The Challenges of Oversight
Civilian oversight bodies exist in eight of Canada’s ten provinces, yet their effectiveness is under scrutiny. According to the report, these agencies typically focus on assessing individual culpability rather than addressing broader systemic issues. This narrow focus may hinder meaningful reform and perpetuate a cycle of violence and lack of accountability.
In a legal context, Canadian law permits police to use force deemed “reasonable” under the circumstances. This vague standard complicates efforts to establish criminal wrongdoing, even in cases involving excessive force leading to death. As a result, families of victims often grapple with a lack of clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding police actions.
Voices of Concern
The report also sheds light on the demographic disparities in police fatalities, with Black and Indigenous individuals disproportionately affected. Although they make up only 10% of the Canadian population, they accounted for approximately one-quarter of those killed in police encounters from 2020 to 2025. Furthermore, many victims were unarmed or wielding non-lethal weapons, yet police responded with firearms in about 90% of such cases.
Family members of victims have voiced their concerns over how police narratives shape public perception. Tracy Wing, whose son Riley Fairholm was shot by police in 2018, advocates for better training in de-escalation techniques. “They need to spend more time in classrooms than on the shooting range,” she asserted, reflecting a growing demand for reform in police training protocols.
The coroner’s report on Fairholm’s death concluded that the shooting was justified but called for improved training for officers dealing with individuals in mental distress. This highlights the critical need for a shift in policing strategies to prioritise de-escalation and understanding over force.
Why it Matters
As fatalities involving police continue to rise, the urgent call for accountability and systemic reform becomes increasingly vital. The findings of this report not only highlight the need for improved oversight and transparency but also challenge the very framework of policing in Canada. In a country that prides itself on its commitment to justice and equality, the growing chasm between law enforcement and the communities they serve poses a serious threat to public trust. Addressing these issues is essential not only for the families affected but for the broader society that demands accountability and change.
