Hate-Motivated and Bias-Motivated Crime

Peel Regional Police is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive community for everyone. All front-line officers and investigators are trained to effectively respond to hate-motivated criminal offences.

To the strengthen our response to our communities, we’ve centralized a Hate Crime Unit and Cross-Functional Support Team. They will lead investigations across the organization, focusing on hate-motivated incidents, all occurrences involving religious institutions and cultural centres and incidents stemming from socio/geopolitical tensions.

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Unit works closely with these teams, providing support to the broader community and serving as a resource for education and community engagement. Together, they help ensure that Peel Regional Police delivers a comprehensive and inclusive response to hate-motivated incidents.

Hate Propaganda Offences

In Canada, the term “hate crime” is not used in the Criminal Code of Canada. Instead, the Criminal Code includes some specific offences under the category of hate propaganda in Sections 318 and 319:

In most cases, hate propaganda provisions of the Criminal Code require the consent of the Attorney General.

Hate Propaganda Offences – Requiring Attorney General Consent:

Section 318 – Advocating Genocide
Section 319(2) – Wilful Promotion of Hatred
Section 319(2.1) – Wilful Promotion of Antisemitism

Hate Propaganda Offences – NOT Requiring Attorney General Consent:

Section 319(1) – Public Incitement of Hatred

Hate Crime

A hate crime is a criminal act against a person or property that is motivated, in whole or in part, by hate, bias, or prejudice. This includes any section of the public distinguished by colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental or physical disability.

Example – A graffiti with hateful symbols or messages, or damage to property motivated by hate.

Sentencing Considerations:

Under section 718.2(a)(i) of the Criminal Code, when a court imposes a sentence for any criminal offence, it must consider evidence that the offence was motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate based on 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, as an aggravating factor.

Hate Incident

A hate incident involves biased or prejudiced behavior that does not meet the threshold of a criminal offence. These incidents may include hateful overtones but cannot be proven to be motivated by hate or bias under the law.

Example – A neighbour makes a racially offensive remark, but no criminal offence occurs.

How to contact us

For general information, please contact:

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Bureau: 905-453-2121 ext. 3605
Hate Crime Unit & Cross Functional Support Team: 905-453-2121 ext. 6098

If you have been the victim of a hate crime:

Call 9-1-1 if there is immediate danger and the crime is in progress.
For non-emergency related crimes, call 905-453-3311.

Peel Regional Police treats all reported crimes with the utmost seriousness and ensures that every investigation is conducted thoroughly, utilizing all appropriate resources and expertise.

Report Hate Motivated Incident