My quick math has Winnipeg's murder rate at just under 1/2 NYC's. Last year we had 572 murders here, in a city of 8,000,000 souls.
The year isn't over yet. Murders in Canada are generaly on par with murders in the USA despite gun laws. Some American cities have above average murder rates, so they shouldn't be used for direct comparisons.
Winnipeg used to be a fairly peacefull place when it was basically full of Ukrainian/Polish/ Jewish immigrants. (still is the largest minority though at around 15%) That demographic has changed with the influx of ME, African and Asian immigrants.
St Johns, "the north end" where Burton Cummings (the Guess Who singer) grew up, is now a 3rd world hell hole. Grand Forks is much nicer, and safer. Plus the streets in Winnipeg suck. It's hard to drive through that place without damaging your front end. It's like the place was bombed there are so many pot holes.