Finding Common Ground: A National Townhall Series
An initiative bringing people across Canada together to discuss and share innovative policies, solutions and approaches
People in Canada are living in a time of unprecedented polarization.
In recent times, divisiveness has increasingly strained the social fabric of Canada.
Isolation, misinformation and disinformation have aggravated these tensions. But spaces where people are able to listen, connect and empathize can defuse it, and redirect energy toward constructive outcomes.
That’s why, in collaboration with the Globe and Mail, the CRRF is hosting a series of national conversations in 2024 and 2025 focused on anti-racism and anti-hate strategies across various Canadian social sectors, including health care, public institutions, and online spaces.
Part 1: Addressing hate and racism in Canada
Across Canada, communities, governments, workplaces, and institutions are embarking on plans and strategies to tackle racism and discrimination. At a time when geopolitical issues, misinformation, population growth and economic challenges are straining our social fabric and contributing to increases in hate crimes, what policies, solutions and approaches will help find common ground?
Our first event in the series took place in Montreal, on November 19, 2024. The town hall focused on social cohesion in polarized times.
Part 2: Addressing hate crimes – Strategies to improve reporting, tracking and response
Police-reported hate crimes in 2023 increased by more than 30 percent from the previous year, according to Statistics Canada. The actual number of hate crimes is even higher given most go unreported by victims, according to federal data. What strategies will support more reporting, investigation, effective response and prevention of hate crimes in Canada?
This second event was hosted online, on February 28, 2025. The town hall focused on hate crimes and reporting.