Hate Crimes in Ottawa and Their Underlying Causes

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 in Canada’s capital. The Ottawa Police Service has released data on the types, locations, and targets of these offences—over 1,300 incidents in total—which they reviewed to form broad conclusions.

When investigating hate-motivated crimes, the police considered several factors:

• The motive of hatred toward a particular group identified by race, nationality, religion, or other legally recognized criteria
• Various forms of wrongdoing: from physical violence to verbal insults
• Legal protection: hate crimes are serious offences punishable by law

A Sharp Rise in Crimes

In 2021, the number of hate-motivated offences climbed to 262, and in 2022, it rose to 317. The gloomy trend may well persist.

A 23.5% 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 Jewish, Black, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ (Canada’s sexually and gender-diverse) communities—groups especially vulnerable to hate-based attacks.

It’s important to note that although many of these incidents did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution, they remain clear examples of hateful behaviour.

Potential Explanations

Several plausible reasons for the rise in hate crimes in Ottawa stand out:

• Greater Reporting and Public Disclosure. Residents are more likely to come forward, often turning to social media. Dr. Bulu Ebanda de B’béri, 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.
• Antisemitism. Nearly half of Ottawa’s 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.
• Ottawa’s Growing Population. 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 multicultural city.
• “Retaliatory Violence”. Dr. Barbara Perry, Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, notes that hate crimes sometimes prompt counter-violence. In 2020, major protests highlighted the racism faced by Black and Indigenous communities, including misconduct by law enforcement.

Global Events and Their Impact on Hate Crimes

Dr. Ebanda de B’béri, professor and research lead in the University of Ottawa’s Communication Department, points out that global events also influence the rise in hate offences—think of COVID-19–related crimes against people of Asian descent, or the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has fueled antisemitic and Islamophobic sentiment.

Reported and analyzed incidents are likely significantly undercounted. According to Barbara Perry, only about 20% of hate-related incidents are ever brought to the attention of police.

Eric Stubbs, Ottawa’s Chief of Police in 2023, mentioned that the main targets in recent years are the Jewish community and the LGBTQ community. For instance, in 2023, 27% of all hate-based incidents targeted the Jewish population.

The rise of hate incidents in Ottawa underscores the need for improved education and raising awareness about fighting hatred in Canada’s capital. Officers in the Hate and Bias Crime Unit of the Ottawa Police Service agree that the key driver behind such incidents is often lack of knowledge.

Offenders truly need to be aware that what they say or do may violate the Criminal Code. Such behaviour must be stopped.