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Provincial and Territorial Overviews
Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
There are no identified street gangs or gang activity in the Yukon or Nunavut. Members of Alberta-based street gangs are involved in the street-level trafficking of various drugs in the Yellowknife area of the Northwest Territories.
Detecting, disrupting and dismantling organized crime activity is important, but we also must collectively be vigilant in not allowing organized crime to take roots in the first place. This only happens when the community becomes involved with law enforcement, and takes steps to remove organized crime from their neighbourhoods. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Steve Graham, |
British Columbia
Most of the 20 street gangs identified are concentrated in the Lower Mainland with little gang-related activity in rural areas. Generally, street gangs obtain their supply of illicit drugs from Hells Angels chapters, Asian and independent organized crime groups. These drugs are often trafficked through “dial-a-dope” operations. A limited number of street gangs are able to create their own supply of drugs through the cultivation of marihuana, production of methamphetamine and the importation of cocaine. Street gangs primarily distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, marihuana and to a lesser extent methamphetamine. In contrast to street gangs in other parts of the country, heroin is being trafficked by B.C. street gangs. Currently, there is tension between some street gangs and other organized crime groups such as the Hells Angels, creating the potential for violent conflict.
Alberta
Approximately 30 street gangs have been identified, with a primary involvement in trafficking crack cocaine. Most street gangs obtain illicit drugs from Asian criminal groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs. To a lesser extent, some street gangs receive illicit drugs from other crime groups based in B.C. Street gangs in Alberta, like their counterparts in B.C., tend to traffic drugs through dial-a-dope operations. Some gangs with multiple cells that operate drug trafficking networks throughout the province and stretch into neighbouring provinces and territories present particularly serious threats. Aboriginal street gangs are also prevalent in the province, trafficking street-level quantities of drugs between Edmonton and various Aboriginal reserves where gang members and associates may have family or personal ties.
Firearms, particularly sawed-off shotguns, are used to undertake home invasions and robberies as well as to intimidate rivals and the general public.
Saskatchewan
A total of 21 street gangs have been identified in the province. Street gangs in Saskatchewan are active in urban and rural areas with gang associations and criminal activities extending to many Aboriginal reserve areas. Family and personal ties between gang members and communities facilitate gang-related interests and activities.
Increased penetration by organized crime groups is expected as the economic conditions in Newfoundland and Labrador begin to mirror other provinces. Chief Joe Browne, |
However, conflict has emerged between street gangs and other organized crime groups over criminal market share and gang expansion into new territory. Currently, street gangs operate independently of each other and consequently operate locally. Following trends in violence and the use of weapons in B.C. and other Prairie provinces, street gangs use a wide variety of weapons, depending on the gang’s intention.
Manitoba
Of the 25 street gangs identified, most are concentrated in the Winnipeg area with some gangs active in rural areas and Aboriginal reserves. The demographics are representative of the multicultural urban communities in the province. Gang members tend to use personal and family associations within their respective communities in order to cultivate and maintain criminal markets, such as supplying illicit drugs. Similarly, gangs with Aboriginal members or associates that have links to rural and reserve areas capitalize upon those ties to recruit new members as well as further their criminal activities.
Ontario
There are approximately 80 street gangs currently active in Toronto with an additional 95 identified in the following regions of Ontario: York (Vaughan, Markham and Richmond), Peel, Waterloo/Kitchener, Thunder Bay, Niagara Falls and Ottawa. 
As in other parts of the country, street-level drug trafficking is the major criminal activity, particularly involving cocaine or crack cocaine, as well as marihuana and ecstasy. In addition, a number of street gangs are reported to be involved in street-level prostitution, with a few also linked to the production of pornography. In Toronto, street gangs may have distinct territories in low-income housing areas that are subject to regular incidences of violence, often firearm-related. The street gang presence within these communities can create an intimidating atmosphere and an often dangerous environment for its residents. Street gangs in the city often reflect the predominant ethnicity of its claimed territory.
Gun violence is prevalent among street gangs in the Greater Toronto Area with continued reporting of drive-by shootings, attempted murders and murders involving firearms.
Organized crime tears at the fabric of our society and makes victims of all law-abiding Canadians. Chief Mike Boyd, |
Firearms, particularly handguns, are the weapons of choice amongst Ontario street gangs. Some gang members routinely carry a handgun that can be immediately displayed, or used, as a response to real or perceived threats or insults in their daily interactions.
Quebec
There are approximately 50 established and emerging street gangs identified, most of which are ethnically homogenous, such as those of Caribbean or Hispanic composition. Several gangs are considered to have a higher level of criminal capability and primarily operate in the greater Montreal region and other urban areas. Some gangs are criminally active or influence gangs in New Brunswick and southern Ontario. Quebec street gangs are often divided by broad alliances that can potentially increase gang-related violence as these alliances create even further opportunities for violent chance encounters or retaliatory events involving rivals. Some gangs may have similar names but usually operate independently. Others have associations with other organized crime groups within the province, particularly involving Italian criminal groups or the Hells Angels.
Various Caribbean-based street gangs are involved in the sex trade, in conjunction with the illicit drug trade. These gangs will often concentrate their efforts within either escort agencies and exotic dancing establishments or street-level prostitution. Similar to street gangs in Ontario, handguns are readily available to gang members for use in response to real or perceived threats or insults.
Atlantic Provinces
Existing and emerging street gangs have been identified in Nova Scotia (10) and New Brunswick (7), with none identified in Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. They are typically involved in street-level drug trafficking of cocaine and crack cocaine. Some street gangs in Atlantic Canada are involved in the procuring of adult and underage females for exotic dancing and street-level prostitution. Street gang violence throughout the Atlantic provinces is generally less frequent and at a lower level than the rest of the country, rarely involving guns or knives.
