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Hate Crimes

Hate has no place in our communities. We encourage residents to report any incident that is motivated by hate or bias. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to eliminate these types of incidents from our communities.

Although there is no such thing as a "Hate Crime" in the Criminal Code of Canada, there are four offences in the Code that specifically pertain to hate:

Section 318 - Advocating Genocide
Section 319 (1) - Public Incitement of Hatred
Section 319 (2) - Wilful Promotion of Hatred
Section 430 (4.1) - Mischief Relating to Religious Property

Many offences informally referred to as "Hate Crimes" are more accurately referred to by police as Hate-Motivated or Bias-Motivated Crimes.

In order for police to lay a Hate-Motivated or Bias-Motivated criminal charge, there are two things that must first occur:

  1. A criminal offence must have occurred (e.g. an assault, damage to property, uttering threats etc.).
  2. Hate or Bias toward a victim must have motivated the criminal offence (e.g. because of the victim's race, nationality, ethnic original, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, etc.).

Even if you are unsure what type of incident occurred, you should report it to police.

If you have been the victim of a hate crime (or hate-motivated/bias-motivated crime or incident):

  • Write down any information about what happened
  • Ask if anyone witnessed the crime
  • Take pictures of any hate motivated vandalism
  • Keep any evidence such as letters or other propaganda
  • Contact police

Hate-motivated incidents can be traumatic. It can be helpful to seek support - whether that support be from professionals or fellow community members. In addition to seeking help from police, some resources are below.

Professional Support

Community Groups

A hate incident is a non-criminal action or behaviour that is motivated by hate against an identifiable group. Examples of hate incidents include using racial slurs, or insulting a person because of their ethnic or religious dress or how they identify.

Incidents such as workplace or school harassment or refusal of service by certain companies or landlords because of who you are should not be dismissed. You may have recourse. Human rights commissions and internal policies in institutions can help you resolve issues before they become criminal in nature.

Hate-motivated incidents can be traumatic, even if they are not criminal in nature. It can be helpful to seek support - whether that support be from professionals or fellow community members. In addition to seeking help from police, some resources are below.

Professional Support

Community Groups