New statistics show majority of hate crimes in Canada target race, ethnicity
Police-reported hate crimes in Canada have remained stable in the first six months of 2024, according to data from the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics.
Preliminary results found 2,384 hate crimes were reported to police in the first two quarters of the year, about half of the total number reported in 2023.
The majority of the hate crimes reported, 48 per cent, targeted a particular race or ethnicity. A further 29 per cent were related to religion.
Crimes related to sexual orientation made up 13 per cent of all complaints received over the six-month period.
Hate crimes refer to criminal offences committed against a person or property motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, skin colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw reported hate crimes increase by 72 per cent.
Last month, the federal government launched Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, which will invest $273.6 million over six years in various programs and organizations.
“This is an enormous milestone in Canada’s progress with combatting hate in this country,” said Mohammed Hashim, CEO of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
“We are glad to see many of our recommendations being implemented in this Plan.”
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