Definitions - Hate Crimes

Question 1

means a criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by hate, bias, or
prejudice based on the victim’s race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical
disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, or on any other similar factor.

This is found in s. 718.2 (a)(i) of the Criminal Code, which contains increased sentencing provisions for the aggravating
circumstances.

Answer 1

Hate / Bias Crime

Question 2

is a non-criminal action or behaviour that is motivated by hate against an identifiable group. Examples of
hate incidents include using racial slurs, or insulting a person because of their ethnic or religious dress or how they identify.
(For example, a neighbour dispute or a dispute in a parking lot, which escalates to verbal abuse, derogatory or racial slurs.)

Answer 2

Hate Incident

Question 3

means any communication that advocates or promotes genocide against any identifiable group or makes
statements that are likely to promote hate against any identifiable group because of colour, race, religion, national or ethnic
origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental or physical disability.
Hate propaganda offences are found in s. 318 and 319 of the Criminal Code. Advocate genocide and wilful promotion of
hatred require the permission of the Attorney General to proceed with prosecution.
Public incitement of hatred does not require the consent of the Attorney General.
Intelligence Services – Hate Crime will liaise with the Ministry of the Attorney General and advise the respective detective
office when a decision by the Attorney General has been made concerning the commencement of legal proceedings in
cases of hate propaganda.

Answer 3

Hate Propaganda