Islam hate crimes tracking in Canada

In recent years, Canada has grappled with the alarming escalation of hate crimes, a sobering trend that demands urgent attention. This report focuses on a critical facet of this unsettling landscape—hate crimes targeting the Islamic community. 

#1: Evolution of hate crimes reported to police in Canada

#2: Hate crimes by type of motivation

#3: Evolution of religious hate crimes reported to police in Canada 

#4: Distribution of religious hate crimes reported to police in Canada 

#5: Summary

---

#1: Evolution of hate crimes reported to police in Canada: Rising trend

The number of hate crimes reported by police in Canada increased significantly from 2,646 incidents in 2020 to 3,360 in 2021, marking a 27% rise and following a 36% increase in the previous year. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated discrimination experiences in Canada, particularly in the form of hate crimes, highlighting an increase in discussions around systemic discrimination.

• When adjusting for population size, the rate of police-reported hate crimes rose by 26% in 2021, reaching 8.8 incidents per 100,000 population.

• Non-violent offenses, mainly mischief, constituted the majority (56%) of police-reported hate crimes.

• All provinces and territories, except Yukon, reported increases in hate crimes in 2021. 

#2: Hate crimes by type of motivation

The notable increases in hate crimes in 2021 targeted specific characteristics, with religion witnessing the highest growth (+67%), sexual orientation (+64%), and race or ethnicity (+6%) accounting for most of the reported rise.

• Religion-Motivated Hate Crimes Surge as the Second Largest Category in 2021, Marking the Highest Growth Compared to 2020.

• The increase in race or ethnicity hate crimes was driven by reported hate crimes against the Arab and West Asian populations (+46%), East and Southeast Asian populations (+16%), and the South Asian population (+21%). However, hate crimes targeting the Black population decreased by 5% in 2021, following a substantial 96% increase in 2020.

#3: Evolution of  religious hate crimes in Canada

Hate crimes targeting a religion reached a peak in 2021 after three consecutive years of decline.

• The number of police-reported hate crimes targeting a specific religion surged from 530 in 2020 to 884 in 2021, reflecting a substantial 67% increase.

• This increase marked the highest number of hate crimes targeting a religion since comparable data have been recorded.

#4: Distribution of religious hate crimes in Canada

The number of police-reported hate crimes targeting a specific religion surged from 530 in 2020 to 884 in 2021, reflecting a substantial 67% increase.

• Police-reported hate crimes rose for the Jewish (+47%), Muslim (+71%), and Catholic (+260%) religions in 2021 compared to the previous year.

• The rate of police-reported hate crimes targeting the Jewish population was the highest (145 incidents per 100,000 population), followed by the Muslim population (8 incidents per 100,000 population), and the Catholic population (1 incident per 100,000 population).

• Interpretation of hate crime rates for specific populations is subject to limitations; Many members of the religious communities, especially those who recently immigrated or are from authoritarian countries, are reluctant to contact the police when they are victims of intimidation or harassment.

#5: Summary

Escalating Hate Crimes Nationwide: The number of hate crimes reported by police in Canada rose significantly from 2,646 incidents in 2020 to 3,360 in 2021, marking a 27% increase and following a staggering 36% surge in the previous year.

Targeted Hate: In 2021, hate crimes exhibited notable increases, with specific characteristics bearing the brunt. Religion witnessed the highest growth at 67%, followed closely by sexual orientation (+64%) and race or ethnicity (+6%).

Islam Hate Crimes Peak: Hate crimes targeting a specific religion, particularly Islam, reached a peak in 2021, reversing a three-year decline. The number of police-reported religious hate crimes surged from 530 in 2020 to 884 in 2021, reflecting a substantial 67% increase.

The situation could be worst: Interpretation of hate crime rates for specific populations is subject to limitations; Many members of the religious communities, especially those who recently immigrated or are from authoritarian countries, are reluctant to contact the police when they are victims of intimidation or harassment. 

If you have any questions, please contact us!