While stabbing reports are below average so far in 2026, zooming out at the longer-term trends may paint a different picture<\/p>\n
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A total of 96 stabbing incidents has been reported to Ottawa police so far this year, marking a decrease in stabbing-related injuries compared to the same period in recent years.<\/p>\n
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In comparison, 124 incidents involving a knife or other sharp weapon were reported between Jan. 1 and Aug. 9, 2025, 153 incidents were reported during this same period in 2024 and 146 incidents were reported in this time in 2023, according to police data provided to the Ottawa Citizen.<\/p>\n
But there may not be any specific factors contributing to this year\u2019s decrease, according to Irvin Waller, criminologist and professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThere\u2019s no reason to suppose that there\u2019s anything intentional in these reductions,\u201d Waller said. \u201cI think Ottawa has probably been lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n
While there may be a decrease in the short-term, Waller noted that Canada is continuing to experience a long-term increase in stabbing-related homicides.<\/p>\n