Hate has no place in our communities. We encourage residents to report any incident that is motivated by hate or bias. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to eliminate these types of incidents from our communities.

Our Commitment to You

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) rigorously and thoroughly investigates any allegations or reports that a person has been targeted based on their race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other similar factor.

How do I report a hate-related incident?

What is a Hate Crime? Is it a criminal offence?

There is no such thing as a Hate Crime in the Criminal Code of Canada. There are only four offences in the Code that specifically pertain to hate; they fall under the Hate-Propaganda section and they are as follows:

Section 318 - Advocating Genocide.

Section 319 (1) - Public Incitement of Hatred.

Section 319 (2) - Wilful Promotion of Hatred.

Section 430 (4.1) - Mischief Relating to Religious Property.

There are many offences the public often refer to as Hate Crimes, however police refer to these as Hate-Motivated or Bias-Motivated Crimes.

Investigations involving these crimes are complex and it's important the public understands this difficult and sometimes confusing topic.

Hate-Motivated or Bias-Motivated crime

In order for police to lay a Hate-Motivated or Bias-Motivated criminal charge, there are two things that must first occur:

  • A criminal offence must have occurred (e.g. an assault, damage to property, uttering threats etc.).
  • Hate or Bias toward a victim must have motivated the criminal offence (e.g. because of the victim's race, nationality, ethnic original, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation etc.).

Examples of Hate-Motivated or Bias-Motivated crimes

Criminal offences include deliberate property damage, hate-filled graffiti, assaults, criminal harassment, or threats to cause injury or death. Hateful speech delivered on social media, in posters, and other literature may also be hate-motivated crime, if the communication targets an identifiable group and actively promotes hatred against that group.

Consultation with the Crown Attorney and Consent from the Attorney General

Police must balance Constitutional Rights with the Criminal Code of Canada which makes investigations very complicated.

The following is a list of Criminal Code Charges that require consent before charges are laid:

  • Section 318 - Advocating Genocide
  • Section 319 (2) - Wilful Promotion of Hatred

Community Supports

Every person has the right to feel safe in our community. Victims of hate or bias motivated crimes are encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service. The following is a list of valuable support services and resources in Halton Region for victims of hate or bias motivated crimes:

Contact information

For more information about hate-motivated crime, community assistance and or services, contact:

Sergeant Keith Nakahara
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Phone: 905-825-4777 ext. 5130