The Abbotsford-Mission metropolitan area had the highest homicide rate in Canada in 2008, according to a Statistics Canada report released Tuesday.

There were 4.7 homicides per 100,000 residents, according to the report. The next highest homicide rates were found in the Winnipeg (4.1), Regina (3.8), Edmonton (3.4) and Kelowna (3.4) metropolitan areas.

Abbotsford Mayor George Peary says it's a sign that the on-going gang war that's ravaged Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley has taken a high toll in Abbotsford-Mission where eight people were murdered last year. He is determined to do something about it.

" I have a task force now that meets monthly to deal with some of the societal determinates of crime to keep young people out of gangs, and the allure of the gang lifestyle,'' he said.

"Lots of things are happening, it is a long term strategy which will pay dividends in the long run,'' he said.

Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich says the StatsCan report does not fairly reflect his community.

"We are much safer than that report suggest,'' he said. But we acknowledge head on that there is too much gang violence that is gang related and said police are taking that on, head-on.

With four homicides already recorded this year, Abbotsford will likely top the murder list again in 2009, something residents are hoping against.

"I think it's horrific, scary,'' said one resident, who spoke to CTV News.

"All the places you think would be safe are they anymore?" said another

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Julia Foy