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Mass shootings in Canada

Mass shootings in Canada are incidents in which multiple people are shot in a single event, typically defined in lists and reporting as shootings with four or more victims, excluding perpetrators.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mass shootings in Canada are incidents in which multiple people are shot in a single event, typically defined in lists and reporting as shootings with four or more victims, excluding perpetrators. Canada has experienced a small number of high-fatality mass shootings, including the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989 and the Nova Scotia attacks in 2020.

Definition and scope

There is no single universal definition of a mass shooting, but Canadian reference lists commonly use a threshold of four or more victims, excluding the perpetrator. Because definitions vary, totals and rankings can differ between sources.

Major incidents

The best-known mass shootings in Canada include the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks, and the 2026 Tumbler Ridge shooting. These events are among the country’s deadliest acts of mass violence.

Social and policy impact

Mass shootings have shaped Canadian public debate on gun regulation, violence against women, policing, and emergency response. The École Polytechnique massacre in particular became a lasting symbol in anti-violence advocacy.

Recent developments

Recent reporting shows that Canada continues to experience rare but highly consequential mass-casualty shootings. The 2026 Tumbler Ridge case drew national attention for the scale of deaths and injuries at a school and nearby home.

Key facts

  • Canadian lists of mass shootings commonly include shootings with four or more victims, excluding perpetrators.
  • The École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal in 1989 killed 14 women and is widely regarded as an anti-feminist attack.
  • The 2020 Nova Scotia attacks killed 22 people and are the deadliest shooting rampage in Canadian history.
  • A February 2026 shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, killed 9–10 people depending on the report and injured at least 25, making it one of Canada’s deadliest recent shootings.
  • Mass shootings in Canada have influenced gun control debates and commemorative practices, including the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
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Canadian context

Mass shootings have been significant in Canadian public life, especially through gun-control debates, remembrance initiatives, and discussions of violence against women and policing.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a mass shooting in Canada?
Many Canadian lists include shootings with four or more victims, excluding the perpetrator, but definitions vary across sources.
What is the deadliest mass shooting in Canada?
The 2020 Nova Scotia attacks are widely described as Canada’s deadliest shooting rampage, with 22 people killed.
What is the École Polytechnique massacre?
It was a 1989 shooting at a Montreal engineering school in which 14 women were murdered in an anti-feminist attack.
Has Canada had school mass shootings?
Yes. The École Polytechnique massacre and the 2026 Tumbler Ridge shooting are both described as among the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history.
Have mass shootings affected Canadian law or policy?
Yes. The École Polytechnique massacre contributed to stronger gun control measures and annual remembrance and anti-violence initiatives.
Are mass shootings common in Canada?
They are less common in Canada than in the United States, but they have had major public and policy impact when they occur.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_Canada
    Supports: Definition used by a Canadian list of mass shootings: shootings with four or more victims, excluding perpetrators.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_Polytechnique_massacre
    Supports: 1989 École Polytechnique massacre details, deaths, injuries, anti-feminist character, and commemorative impact.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Nova_Scotia_attacks
    Supports: 2020 Nova Scotia attacks death toll and status as deadliest shooting rampage in Canadian history.
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65107912
    Supports: Police-response inquiry and confirmation that the Nova Scotia attacks killed 22 people.
  5. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/factbox-canadas-worst-mass-killing-incidents-2026-02-11/
    Supports: High-level overview of major Canadian mass-casualty incidents including the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks and 2025 Vancouver incident.
  6. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/canada-mass-shooting-live-least-10-dead-25-wounded-2026-02-11/
    Supports: Tumbler Ridge incident scale, fatalities, injuries, and national significance.
  7. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/livestory/active-shooter-alert-tumbler-ridge-secondary-school-bc-live-updates-9.7083740
    Supports: Tumbler Ridge deaths, injuries, and details of the school-and-home incident.
  8. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj17z7l9jmo
    Supports: Tumbler Ridge being described as one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings.