Understanding the legal landscape of hate crimes in Canada
What is a hate crime?
A criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated in whole or in part by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, or on any other similar factor.
What is a hate-motivated incident?
A non-criminal action against a person or property that is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression or on any other similar factor. For example, derogatory or racial slurs stated during a neighborhood dispute.
Though hate-motivated incidents do not result in criminal charges, it is important that responding police take these incidents and their impacts seriously. Hate-motivated incidents can cause harm and potentially generate widespread fear in affected communities.
How could Canada’s justice system better address hate crimes?
In February 2024, we were asked by the Peel Police Services Board to provide insights on the core issues of police governance and human rights in Peel Region. The CRRF has conducted extensive research and has found that racialized communities in Peel continue to face human rights issues at the hands of Peel Regional Police. Our CEO, Mohammed Hashim, presented findings and proposed community-led solutions.
Further resources include Submissions of Canadian Race Relations Foundation in relation to Human Rights and Police Governance and Human Rights and Police Governance Presentation
We also hosted our 2022 national conference on hate crimes in Canada, in partnership with the Globe and Mail. This hybrid conference looked at what is fueling the rise in hate crime, the implications for society, and ways that law enforcement, the justice system, citizens, technology companies and communities can respond.
Supporting victims of hate in Canada
In 2022, we commissioned a study to review the services available for victims of hate in Canada in order to identify gaps and better support victims. According to the final report, which includes a review of leading practices around the world, many victims have nowhere to turn and supports are limited or unavailable.
CRRF Victims’ Services Review Recommendations
- A national fund for organizations that support victims of hate to help create and sustain projects that contribute to preventing hate and supporting victims of hate.
- A national support fund to provide direct help for survivors of hate crimes, including uninsured costs such as mental health care, lost wages, paramedical services, physiotherapy, and medical equipment.
- An emergency response fund for municipalities and community organizations to mobilize emergency response to hate-motivated mass violence.
- Establishing a national Support Hub for Victims of Hate & Support Services to improve access to high quality services for victims and survivors of hate.
Reimagining a path to support all Canadians
The CRRF conducted its own research through PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and found that many victims have nowhere to turn for support and there are major gaps and inconsistencies in the services available to victims. The CRRF based its recommendations on this report which can be read here.
