After rising for 3 years, Ottawa hate crime reports plateau

The number of hate-related incidents recorded in Ottawa in 2024 dropped slightly over the year before, following three years of rising reports. 

The Ottawa Police Service's hate and bias crime unit addressed 467 incidents last year, including 351 criminal and 116 hate-motivated incidents, according to statistics published Wednesday. 

That marked a decrease of four per cent compared to 2023 when 487 incidents were recorded.

Prosecutors laid one formal hate crime charge for public incitement of hatred in 2024, as well as charging 54 people with 190 of criminal offences in relation to these incidents. Seven warnings were issued under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

In comparison, four formal hate crime charges were laid in Ottawa in 2023, with 43 people charged with 123 counts in relation to hate-related incidents, and 23 warnings issued against young people. 

Despite the slight decrease in reported incidents last year, Ottawa police say hate crimes remain "extremely underreported."

Jewish people most frequently reported targets

A criminal offence is classified as a hate crime when it is motivated by hate or prejudice based on race, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation or other similar factors.

Jewish people were the most frequently reported target of hate-motivated incidents, accounting for 113 reports. There were 54 reported incidents targeting 2SLGBTQ+ people, 54 targeting Black people, 18 targeting Muslim people and 18 targeting Chinese people. 

The unit said the most serious violations in 2024 included mischief to property, threats, assault, harassing communication and assault causing bodily harm, but did not provide a detailed breakdown.

At a news conference last year, Ottawa police Chief Eric Stubbs said global events including the Israel-Hamas war may have contributed to a 20 per cent increase in reported hate-related incidents in 2023.