Toronto, ON — In response to a sustained and alarming rise in hate crimes across Ontario, the Government of Ontario has established a specialized Hate Crime Prosecutions Unit (HCPU), following the successful passage of MPP Michelle Cooper’s Private Member’s Motion in April.
The new unit, which is the first of its kind in Canada, brings together dedicated Crown prosecutors with focused expertise in hate-motivated offences, strengthening Ontario’s ability to prosecute these complex crimes while enhancing support for victims and affected communities across the province.
“Hate crimes strike at the very foundation of our society,” said MPP Cooper. “They fracture communities, erode trust, and make people feel unsafe simply for who they are. With the establishment of this specialized unit, Ontario is matching words with action—ensuring these crimes are met with the expertise, coordination, and seriousness they demand.”
According to Statistics Canada, police-reported hate crimes in Canada increased by more than 80 per cent between 2019 and 2022, with nearly 4,900 incidents reported nationally in 2024. Ontario accounts for almost half of those cases.
Within Ontario, police-reported hate crimes increased from 702 incidents in 2020 to 1,190 incidents in 2024, an increase of approximately 70 per cent in four years—highlighting a sustained and deeply concerning trend.
Data also shows the disproportionate targeting of Jewish Canadians. In 2024, approximately 68 per cent of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Canada targeted the Jewish community, despite Jewish Canadians comprising less than one per cent of the population. In Toronto, anti-Jewish hate crimes continue to represent a significant share of reported incidents.
“These are not abstract statistics,” MPP Cooper said. “They reflect the lived reality of families and communities across Ontario—children attending schools with increased security, places of worship requiring protection, and neighbourhoods impacted by targeted acts of hate.”
Hate crimes are amongst the most legally complex offences under the Criminal Code, requiring careful consideration of intent, context, and the distinction between constitutionally protected expression and criminal conduct. The creation of a specialized prosecution unit ensures greater consistency and expertise in how these cases are handled across the province.
The Hate Crime Prosecutions Unit will:
- Provide specialized Crown expertise in hate speech and hate-motivated offences
- Strengthen Crown–police coordination across jurisdictions
- Improve prosecutorial outcomes in complex cases
- Enhance victim support and community confidence in the justice system
The establishment of the unit has been widely supported by law enforcement and community organizations, including York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police, the Police Association of Ontario, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), B’nai Brith, the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, and the Hindu Federation, reflecting a strong consensus on the need for specialized prosecutorial capacity.
Other specialized prosecution teams have demonstrated that dedicated expertise improves outcomes in complex cases with significant societal impact. With the launch of this unit, Ontario is taking a leadership role nationally in addressing hate-motivated crimes and ensuring these offences are taken seriously at every stage of the justice process.
“This initiative is about protecting every Ontarian,” MPP Cooper emphasized. “No matter their religion, race, or identity, everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. This unit is an important step toward strengthening that commitment.”
The motion calling for the creation of the unit passed overwhelmingly in Ontario’s provincial legislature on April 16, 2026.
| Media Contact | |
| Nate Blasco | nate.blasco@pc.ola.org (416) 559-2372 |