The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has releases data of reported hate and bias motivated incidents so far this year, between January and June 2024.
According to OPS stats, there have been a total of 225 reported hate-motivated incidents year to date (YTD). Of those, 174 were criminal and 51 deemed hate-motivated but not criminal in nature.
In total, 65 counts of hate-motivated offences have been charged across 26 individuals. There were also four formal Youth Criminal Justice Act warnings given.
Compared to the same time period in 2023, there were 230 reported hate-motivated incidents, 178 of them criminal and 52 non-criminal. The 230 incidents in 2023 compared to 225 incidents in 2024 is a drop of about 2% year-over-year.
Jewish and Muslim groups saw significant increase in hate-motivated incidents in 2024
Some groups predominantly affected by hate-motivated incidents include:
- Jewish: 74 incidents YTD
- 36 in 2023 – +100% increase
- Muslim: 15 incidents YTD
- 7 in 2023 – +100% increase
- Black: 36 incidents YTD
- 2SLGBTQ+: 24 incidents YTD
- Arab (West Asian, Middle Eastern and North African): 14 incidents YTD
The OPS Hate and Bias Crime Unit and the Crown Attorney’s office are investigating all reported incidents.
In response to this data, Ottawa police say they continue to “encourage anyone who has been a victim of a hate-motivated incident or witnessed a hate-motivated incident, to please report it by calling 613-236-1222, extension 7300 or at ottawapolice.ca/report. If you or another person is in immediate danger, please dial 911 right away.”
A couple weeks ago, two individuals were charged in relation to hate-motivated vandalism that happened at a home on Maynooth Court.
In response to that incident, Ottawa police said, “We want to express our deep concern and assure you that we are fully aware of the serious impact such hate crimes have on the Asian and other communities in Ottawa.”