Statistics Canada says Manitoba had the highest rate of the homicides in the country last year for the second straight year.

The federal agency says the province recorded 55 homicides in 2018. That number jumped by eight compared to 2017.

StatCan says the rate of homicides was up almost 16 per cent from the previous year to 4.07 per 100-thousand population.

The increase came even though the number of homicides in Winnipeg fell slightly last year to 22.

However, the city has seen a sharp spike this year with 41 homicides reported already. That ties the city record set in 2011.