Hate crimes and incidents

Violence prevention

Hate crimes and incidents are motivated by a feeling of hostility toward a person or a group. Learn how to distinguish between the two.

What is a hate crime?

An act becomes criminal when it occurs repeatedly or poses a threat to a person’s physical or moral integrity. It is considered hateful when it targets people because of their:

  • ethnicity or nationality
  • language
  • skin colour
  • religion
  • sex or gender
  • age
  • sexual orientation
  • disability

Examples of hate crimes:

  • Assaulting a person because of the colour of their skin or their religion.
  • Vandalizing a place of worship or a business associated with a specific community.
  • Bullying a person living with a disability.
  • Issuing threats or calls to violence on social media platforms toward a person or a group because of their identity.
  • Assaulting people because of their sexual orientation.

What is a hate incident?

A hate incident, even if it affects the sense of safety of the persons targeted, is not punishable under law when it is an isolated incident. However, this act should not be taken lightly. If these actions are repeated, they can be deemed to constitute harassment and become a hate crime.

Examples of hate incidents:

  • Making insulting remarks toward a person because of their ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
  • Posting offensive content on social media platforms targeting a specific community.
  • Making disrespectful gestures toward a person because of their age or skin colour.
  • Showing a lack of respect toward staff at a business because of their ethnic origin.
  • Making hurtful comments toward a person with a disability.

An incident can become a hate crime if it worsens or leads to threats, public incitement of hatred or criminal harassment.

Official definitions

To distinguish more easily between the two concepts, the Centre for the prevention of radicalization leading to violence (CPRMV) has published the following official definitions.

Hate crime

A hate crime is a criminal act motivated by prejudice or hatred towards an individual or group based on factors such as race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental or physical disability.

Hate incident

A hate incident is any non criminal act that affects the sense of safety of a person or identifiable group of persons and that, due to the context, is seen to be an act targeting a specific person or group due to their race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or physical or mental disability.

Other acts deemed to be criminal acts

Other than hate crimes, other acts motivated by hate may be punishable by law. Get informed to understand the limits dictated under the Criminal Code:

What to do when it happens

To put an end to these acts, you must first report them, as a victim or a witness.

Depending on the level of urgency, you can contact:

  • 911: for immediate assistance
  • 811: the Info-Social or Info-Santé line
  • Info-Police line (450-662-4636): to submit information in a confidential manner
  • Visit one of our points of service

Resources available

For further information or for support:

Centre d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels (CAVAC) 
1 866 532-2822 

Centre for the prevention of radicalization leading to violence 
514 687-7141 or 1 877 687-7141 

Commission des droits de la personne 
1 800 361-6477 

Want to report an emergency?

Call 911