A new report says that although the number of crimes in B.C. has fallen sharply over the past decade, Vancouver still has one of the highest crime rates on the continent.
The data came in a report issued Thursday by the B.C. Progress Board, which was set up to advise the provincial government on social and economic progress.
Vancouver has the third highest crime rate of 17 major North American cities surveyed, the report said.
The figures show people are far more likely to have their car stolen or be the victim of a break and enter in Vancouver than in New York City.
"I think that's one of the most shocking things about this [report]," said New Democrat MLA Mike Farnworth.
"People think New York and other places are dangerous and they forget that in Vancouver, we have a disproportionately high rate of property crime."
Property crime in Vancouver, while lower than in previous years, is still more than twice as high than in Toronto or New York.
The report also said B.C. is first among Canadian provinces in health and the environment but worst when it comes to poverty.
That means B.C. has had the highest rate of poverty in Canada for the entire time the Liberals have been in power, said NDP finance critic Bruce Ralston.
Ralston said the B.C. Liberals, including almost all of the current leadership contenders, have refused for a decade to take action to address issues like child poverty.
Middle class families are also suffering, he said, pointing to a section of the report that says personal income fell by $469 last year, the second-biggest drop in the country.
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