About the Core Indicators
The core indicators listed on this page represent a set of priority measures identified as foundational for monitoring community safety and well‑being (CSWB) across diverse Canadian contexts. These indicators were developed through the Community & Urban Safety Monitoring (CUSM) Project, drawing on:
- Decades of research on effective community safety and prevention
- CCFSC’s experience supporting local CSWB planning
- Input and advice from project advisors, Indigenous partners, and pilot site representatives
- Lessons learned from adapting the Urban Safety Monitor (USM) framework for use in Canadian communities
While the USM is an internationally developed framework, the indicators on this page reflect the Canadian adaptation, emphasizing equity, cultural relevance, and the realities of multi-sector, community driven safety work in Canada.
These indicators serve as the core set that every community should consider monitoring, regardless of size, geography, or capacity. They help provide a shared language and evidence baseline for understanding safety, identifying inequities, and tracking meaningful change over time.
Most importantly, these indicators are designed to be locally adaptable. Communities can tailor specific measures, data sources, and collection methods to reflect their unique context, priorities, and partnerships.
Core Indicator List
Criminalization
- Crime & Violence Statistics
- Incident/Emergency Response & Law Enforcement
- Justice Responses
- Perceptions of Safety / Fear of Crime
Community
- Housing
- Income
- Food & Water
- Education
- Physical and Mental Health & Healing (Adults)
- Development, Physical and Mental Health & Healing (Youth)
- Community Health & Healing
- Family Wellness
- Inclusion & Respect for Diversity
- Social Unity / Social Polarization
Governance
- Multi-Sector Collaboration
- Policy & Strategy
- Capacity & Investment
- Data Use & Knowledge Management
- Decolonization & Reconciliation
Because this toolkit is a living resource that will continue to grow and evolve as our team learns, deepens its practice, and collaborates with communities, the list of Core Indicators may also evolve. Please feel free to reach out if you think there are any Core Indicators we’ve missed or misrepresented.