Hate Crime Updates
What is a Hate Crime?
A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by the offender’s bias, prejudice or hate against an identifiable group.
An identifiable group may be distinguished by race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, language, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, or on any other similar factor.
Almost any type of criminal offence can be motivated by hate.
Examples of hate crime offences may include acts of violence, such as an assault or causing damage to property. These acts intentionally target individuals or property based on the offender’s hate toward an identifiable group.
What is a Hate Incident?
A hate incident is a non-criminal action or behaviour that is motivated by hate against an identifiable group.
Examples of hate incidents include using racial slurs, or insulting a person because of their ethnic or religious dress or how they identify. These incidents can be very harmful and lead to emotional and psychological stress.
York Regional Police is Committed to Combatting Hate
York Regional Police is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive community for everyone.
Hate crimes and hate incidents create community-wide unrest, as others not directly affected may feel victimized and vulnerable.
To strengthen our response to our communities, we have a dedicated Hate Crime Prevention Unit. They lead investigations, focusing on hate-motivated crimes, hate-motivated incidents, and incidents involving Places of Worship, cultural centres, and educational institutions.
Our Hate Crime Prevention Unit works alongside specially trained investigators across the region who support frontline officers.
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Unit works closely with the Hate Crime Prevention Unit, providing support to the community and serving as a resource for education and community engagement. Together, they help ensure York Regional Police delivers a comprehensive and inclusive response to hate crimes and hate incidents.
Our service also works closely with community groups, schools and other police agencies, offering training and outreach to help prevent and respond to hate.What is a hate crime?
Put simply, a hate crime is a criminal offence driven by bias, prejudice or hate. That motivation can relate to race, nationality, ethnicity, language, colour, religion, gender, age, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation.
How York Regional Police Investigates Hate-Motivated Crimes
When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation is led by the Hate Crime Prevention Unit.
If it is alleged a criminal offence was believed to be motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer in charge of the case may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, a judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.
What to do if you’ve been affected
If you’ve experienced or witnessed hate, here are a few steps to follow:
Remain Calm
Call police right away
Write down everything you remember about the incident
Keep any evidence, such as messages, photos or videos
Hate Crimes Unit
York Regional Police is committed to addressing hate in the community. This work includes a dedicated Hate Crimes Unit, along with specially trained investigators across the region who support frontline officers.
The service also works closely with community groups, schools and other police agencies, offering training and outreach to help prevent and respond to hate.
