{"id":5716,"date":"2026-02-10T05:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T09:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/?p=5716"},"modified":"2025-02-27T05:56:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T09:56:38","slug":"hate-crimes-in-ottawa-and-their-underlying-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/eternal\/hate-crimes-in-ottawa-and-their-underlying-causes","title":{"rendered":"Hate Crimes in Ottawa and Their Underlying Causes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Their number has continued to grow over the years, painting a grim picture. Statistics from the past decade confirm this trend. <a href=\"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/uk\/\"><strong>Ottawa Yes<\/strong><\/a> takes a closer look at the likely causes behind these hate-motivated crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0c02f5dfe6a\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0c02f5dfe6a\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/eternal\/hate-crimes-in-ottawa-and-their-underlying-causes\/#Ottawa_Police_Data\" >Ottawa Police Data<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/eternal\/hate-crimes-in-ottawa-and-their-underlying-causes\/#A_Sharp_Rise_in_Crimes\" >A Sharp Rise in Crimes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/eternal\/hate-crimes-in-ottawa-and-their-underlying-causes\/#Potential_Explanations\" >Potential Explanations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/eternal\/hate-crimes-in-ottawa-and-their-underlying-causes\/#Global_Events_and_Their_Impact_on_Hate_Crimes\" >Global Events and Their Impact on Hate Crimes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ottawa_Police_Data\"><\/span><strong>Ottawa Police Data<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An analysis of information from 2015 to 2022 shows a rise in the frequency of such crimes in Canada\u2019s capital. The Ottawa Police Service has released data on the types, locations, and targets of these offences\u2014over 1,300 incidents in total\u2014which they reviewed to form broad conclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When investigating <strong>hate-motivated crimes<\/strong>, the police considered several factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>motive of hatred<\/strong> toward a particular group identified by race, nationality, religion, or other legally recognized criteria<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Various forms of wrongdoing: from physical violence to verbal insults<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legal protection: hate crimes are serious offences punishable by law<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawayes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxewhs5djevoqlcaf3zrxffpvim8sxtorlshu50dbakyazh9ygxcv8xfkflfg6buaksglgtvhknysbxqyrmmqdk6dan95tutsibtr9z76q_-5dpyvwa4chb7tul1tk5ob1nn-phb5wkeymmjihgcyf_eioprbjcz-yg4g.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Sharp_Rise_in_Crimes\"><\/span><strong>A Sharp Rise in Crimes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>2021<\/strong>, the number of hate-motivated offences climbed to 262, and in <strong>2022<\/strong>, it rose to 317. The gloomy trend may well persist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>23.5%<\/strong> increase points to growing hatred and intolerance within society. These crimes take many forms, ranging from property damage to violent assaults. The most common targets include the <strong>Jewish<\/strong>, <strong>Black<\/strong>, and <strong>2SLGBTQQIA+<\/strong> (Canada\u2019s sexually and gender-diverse) communities\u2014groups especially vulnerable to hate-based attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that although many of these incidents did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution, they remain clear examples of hateful behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawayes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxeuprbxrgy51ujtnceqwe5adh2qwkkemorg8jgsqyqabrc6ntguir54yvblihixwjx87_w20rx2rhvsnwgwejia6wr492e6idr0h65saa6ch5v2otz7tdap0ozfzdsytxjc4c-xcqkeymmjihgcyf_eioprbjcz-yg4g.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Potential_Explanations\"><\/span><strong>Potential Explanations<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Several plausible reasons for the rise in <strong>hate crimes<\/strong> in Ottawa stand out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Greater Reporting and Public Disclosure<\/strong>. Residents are more likely to come forward, often turning to social media. Dr. <strong>Bulu Ebanda de B\u2019b\u00e9ri<\/strong>, a professor and research lead in the Communication Department at the University of Ottawa, explains that people find it much easier and more accessible to share experiences online rather than offline. Consequently, social media has become a democratic, open space where everyone has the chance to speak up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Antisemitism<\/strong>. Nearly half of Ottawa\u2019s recorded hate crimes target the Jewish and Black communities. One example involved a 29-year-old accused of harassment and phone threats against a religious leader. Any expression of antisemitism is unacceptable in Canada.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ottawa\u2019s Growing Population<\/strong>. According to Errol Mendes, Ottawa is no longer a small city. Its population and the communities within it continue to expand. Mendes, a professor of constitutional and international law in Ottawa and former commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, wrote a letter to professors, lecturers, and students, urging sensitivity and tact when discussing armed conflicts. This is particularly crucial because Ottawa is becoming an increasingly <strong>multicultural<\/strong> city.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cRetaliatory Violence\u201d<\/strong>. Dr. Barbara Perry, Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, notes that hate crimes sometimes prompt <strong>counter-violence<\/strong>. In 2020, major protests highlighted the racism faced by Black and Indigenous communities, including misconduct by law enforcement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawayes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxcntlfyos-vttzk71wnxhhhde1y21zdi41ekovzqbhwfh4wfc5xxisyzegj7vssdw6hjtt3zg6lax9pbzfz4mxpzyuea3wkgq5jj-4kb2hxumbllb75e2try0pykffdh0pszkpx2gkeymmjihgcyf_eioprbjcz-yg4g.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Global_Events_and_Their_Impact_on_Hate_Crimes\"><\/span><strong>Global Events and Their Impact on Hate Crimes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Ebanda de B\u2019b\u00e9ri, professor and research lead in the University of Ottawa\u2019s Communication Department, points out that <strong>global events<\/strong> also influence the rise in hate offences\u2014think of COVID-19\u2013related crimes against people of Asian descent, or the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has fueled <a href=\"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/uk\/eternal\/perestrilka-na-parlamentskomu-pagorbi-v-ottavi\">antisemitic and Islamophobic sentiment.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reported and analyzed incidents are likely <strong>significantly undercounted<\/strong>. According to Barbara Perry, only about 20% of hate-related incidents are ever brought to the attention of police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eric Stubbs, Ottawa\u2019s Chief of Police in 2023, mentioned that the main targets in recent years are the <strong>Jewish community<\/strong> and the <strong>LGBTQ<\/strong> community. For instance, in 2023, <strong>27%<\/strong> of all hate-based incidents targeted the Jewish population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rise of hate incidents in Ottawa underscores the need for <strong>improved education<\/strong> and raising awareness about fighting hatred in Canada\u2019s capital. Officers in the Hate and Bias Crime Unit of the Ottawa Police Service agree that the key driver behind such incidents is often <strong>lack of knowledge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Offenders truly need to be aware that what they say or do may violate the Criminal Code. Such behaviour must be stopped.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Their number has continued to grow over the years, painting a grim picture. Statistics from the past decade confirm this trend. Ottawa Yes takes a closer look at the likely causes behind these hate-motivated crimes. Ottawa Police Data An analysis of information from 2015 to 2022 shows a rise in the frequency of such crimes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":5727,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[490],"tags":[2531,2533,2537,2534,2210,2529,2536,2530,2535,2532,2538],"motype":[491],"moformat":[89],"moimportance":[100,101,104],"class_list":{"0":"post-5716","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-pro-polituky","8":"tag-awareness-raising-in-ottawa","9":"tag-causes","10":"tag-crimes","11":"tag-criminal-code-violations","12":"tag-history-of-ottawa","13":"tag-impact-of-global-events","14":"tag-increase-in-incidents","15":"tag-misconduct","16":"tag-overview-of-causes","17":"tag-sharp-increase-in-cases","18":"tag-statistics","19":"motype-eternal","20":"moformat-vlasna","21":"moimportance-aktualna-bilshe-roku","22":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","23":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5716"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5726,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5716\/revisions\/5726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5716"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=5716"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=5716"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawayes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=5716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}