Hate has no home in York Region

A black and white aerial image of people crossing a busy crosswalk with bold white stripes. Centered is a transparent purple brush stroke with bold white text reading, ‘Hate Ends Here’

Hate can take many forms, both hidden and obvious. Hate is seen online and in schools, hospitals, public transit and communities.

According to Statistics Canada, Canadian police services recorded 4,882 hate crimes in 2024. This represents a slight increase from 2023 and follows a 34% increase between 2022 and 2023. Overall, police-reported hate crimes in Canada have more than doubled since 2018.

York Regional Police (YRP) reported a 17.8% decrease in total hate-motivated crimes and incidents between 2023 and 2025 and a 16% decrease in total criminal hate occurrences during the same period. YRP notes the overall decline in hate-motivated crime suggests the positive impact of YRP’s proactive strategies, strengthened community partnerships and continued public awareness efforts.

For more information about hate crimes and hate or bias incidents, including what to do if you’ve been affected and how York Regional Police addresses hate in the community, please visit York Regional Police’s website on Hate Crime.

No one should feel unsafe because of who they are

According to the 2021 Census, 1.17 million people call York Region home, speaking more than 120 languages, and representing more than 230 ethnic origins.

We all have a role to play in making sure York Region is a welcoming, inclusive and safe place for everyone. Learn more about the Inclusion Charter for York Region and the shared commitment to foster safe, welcoming and inclusive communities for all.

By standing up against hate, we help create communities where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels safe, is treated with respect and dignity, can reach their full potential and participate free from discrimination.

Impacts of Hate

Hate promotes inequality and conflict. It sends a destructive message that people are unsafe in the community simply because of who they are.

The impact of hate can also reduce confidence in police and contribute to the underreporting of hate crimes. Reporting hate crimes continues to be a challenge for many community members due to fear of victimization or retaliation, culture, language barriers and uncertainty with the justice system.

This #EndHateYR information hub aims to support awareness about hate motivated crimes and incidents, their impact on individuals and communities, and ways community members can work together to eliminate hate and support those impacted.

Developed in consultation with York Regional Police’s Hate Crime Prevention Unit, this initiative reflects the collective action of the Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG).

What is a hate crime? What is a hate or bias motivated incident?

A hate crime is a criminal offence, committed against a person or property, which is perceived to be motivated and/or is motivated, in whole or in part, by the suspect/offender’s hate, bias, prejudice based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression or any other similar factor.

A hate or bias motivated incident is any non-criminal incident, where behaviour is motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression or any other similar factor.

Hate or bias motivated incidents can be just as harmful as hate crimes and lead to emotional and psychological stress. Reporting incidents is just as important because it allows for intervention, de-escalation, support, the sharing of resources and the opportunity to provide education.

For more information about hate crimes and hate or bias incidents, what to do if you’ve been affected, and how York Regional Police address hate in the community, please visit York Regional Police’s website on Hate Crime.

For more information about how the Diversity and Cultural Resources Unit and the Hate Crime Prevention Unit at York Regional Police work together to build community trust, support inclusion and investigate hate-related incidents, please visit York Regional Police’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Bureau website.

Hate Prevention Resources

Toolkits

Reporting Hate, Finding Support: A Toolkit for Communities. Created by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Government Agencies

Human Rights Commissions

Federal: Canada Human Rights Commission
Provincial: Ontario Human Rights Commission

Human Rights Tribunals

Federal: Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
Provincial: Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

Advocacy

Nonprofit Organizations

Community Organizations

Information

Social Media and Cyber Safety

About the Inclusion Charter for York Region

This information hub is one of many actions resulting from the Inclusion Charter for York Region. The Inclusion Charter for York Region is a community initiative and commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who live, work and play in York Region.

The Inclusion Charter was developed by the Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG), which comprises 20 member organizations, including all nine local municipalities, police services, hospitals, school boards, conservation authorities, and agencies.

Learn more about the Inclusion Charter for York Region.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]