Bill C-9 defines hatred as intense and extreme emotion, tied to vilification and detestation. The definition will not be met where something is merely humiliating, discrediting, hurtful or offensive.
Hate Crime
What is a hate crime?
A hate crime is a criminal offence that is motivated, in whole or in part, by hatred toward an identifiable group. Identifiable groups may include people distinguished by race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other protected characteristics.
Recent amendments to the Criminal Code through Bill C-9, The Combatting Hate Act, created a specific hate crime offence. The law also defines hatred as an intense and extreme emotion associated with vilification and detestation. Conduct is not considered hatred solely because it is offensive, hurtful, humiliating, or discrediting.
Examples of hate-motivated offences may include:
- Assaults, threats, harassment, mischief, or property damage motivated by hatred toward an identifiable group.
- Intimidating a person to prevent them from accessing certain places that are primarily used for religious worship or by an identifiable group for certain purposes.
- Intentionally obstructing or interfering with lawful access to those protected places.
- Willfully promoting hatred against an identifiable group by publicly displaying certain hate or terrorism symbols, where the legal threshold is met.
How to report:
If a hate-motivated crime is in progress or there is an immediate safety concern, call 911. If the incident is not in progress, contact DRPS through the non-emergency line. DRPS reviews hate-motivated reports through its investigative processes and, where appropriate, the Hate Crime and Extremism Unit provides specialized support and follow-up.
Bill C-9 adds intimidation and intentional obstruction or interference offences related to access to places primarily used for religious worship or places used by an identifiable group for certain purposes (e.g. educational institutes, seniors' residences, community centres and cemeteries).
Bill C-9 criminalizes public display of specified symbols only where the conduct willfully promotes hatred against an identifiable group and where the legal threshold is met.
Victim support and reassurance
DRPS recognizes the impact hate-motivated incidents can have on victims, families, and communities, and connects victims with available supports where appropriate.
Community based hate reporting vs. police reporting
Report emergencies or suspected criminal hate-motivated offences to police.
For non-emergency support or non-criminal hate incidents, community-based supports may also be available.
If this is an emergency, and you are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.
If you are a victim of a hate/bias motivated crime or hate/bias motivated incident, please call the non-emergency line at 905-579-1520 and press 0. The report will then be forwarded to the dedicated Hate Crime Unit for investigation.