Gangs in Canada - Types

Types

The most prevalent gangs in Canada include:

• Street gangs
• Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
• Mafias and Organized crime groups, including Aboriginal Based Organized Crime
• White supremacist and Hate groups

According to a 2004 police report, "The Hells Angels remain some of the largest and most powerful motorcycle gangs in the country, with growing influence in British Columbia and Ontario. Its presence has declined in other provinces due to police efforts, internal conflict and increased competition from other crime groups."

The same report stated that Aboriginal street gangs are not as highly organized as other criminal organizations in Canada, but are amongst the most violent. Aboriginal people also constitute a significant portion of prison populations throughout Canada, and the number of First Nation inmates continues to rise at a considerable rate. As of 2005 it is believed over 1000 Aboriginal youths were members of street gangs.

According to the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC), "The established, well-financed and -connected Hong Kong Triad groups and crime syndicates remain, to our mind, the biggest long-term threat to Canadian law enforcement and society." Most of the gangs in Canada are based upon American gangs such as Crips, Bloods, MS13, 18th Street, Zoe Pound, Pagans, Folk Nation, People Nation, KKK, BHO, and the Hells Angels.

In addition to Triad Societies, other Asian criminal groups, such as The Big Circle Gang, have also established national networks based in the major cities of Canada.