Hate Motivated Crime

Hate/bias motivated crimes are criminal offences or incidents motivated solely or in part because of the suspect’s hate, bias or prejudice against another person based on the victim’s ancestry, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

What is a Hate Crime?

A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by hate/bias or prejudice based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor.

What is a hate/bias motivated incident?

A hate/bias motivated incident may be motivated by the same factors as a hate crime but does not reach the threshold of a criminal offence. These incidents may include name calling, racial insults, or the distribution of material containing hateful language.

What is hate propaganda?

Hate propaganda is any communication used that promotes hatred toward a specific group based on race, religion, nationality or ethnic origin.

Advocating Genocide - When someone supports/promotes the intent to destroy in whole or in part, any identifiable group.
Public Incitement of Hatred - When someone communicates statements in a public place that promotes hatred against any identifiable group.

There are three Hate Propaganda sections in the Criminal Code.

Advocating Genocide

Section 318. (1) Everyone who advocates or promotes genocide is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

Definition of "genocide"
(2) In this section, "genocide" means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part any identifiable group, namely,
(a) killing members of the group; or
(b) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.

Public Incitement of Hatred

Section 319. (1) Everyone who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Wilful Promotion of Hatred

Section 319. (2) Everyone who, by communicating statements, other than in private conversation, wilfully promotes hatred against any identifiable group is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction

If you are a victim of hate crime

Stay calm
Keep all relevant material
Record all information regarding the incident
Report it immediately to police. You can also report hate crime online.

Why should I report?

Reporting hate crimes is an important step in stopping the cycle of hatred and preventing others from being victimized. It is also important for police to be aware of hate crimes so an analysis can be done to ensure actions are taken, including assigning appropriate resources to make our community safer.