Hate motivated incidents in Ottawa show a 2% decrease in 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 8, 2024   1:25 pm

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has seen a slight decrease of 2% in the number of reported hate and bias motivated incidents, from 2023 year to date, compared to finalized 2023 stats.

Of the 225 reported hate-motivated incidents to date in 2024, 174 have been deemed criminal and 51 have been determined to be hate-motivated but non-criminal. Twenty-six people have been charged with 65 counts of hate-motivated offences, with four (4) formal YCJA warnings.

Of the 230 reported hate-motivated incidents in 2023, 178 have been deemed criminal and 52 have been determined to be hate-motivated but non-criminal.

Groups predominantly affected per the YTD 2024 data include:

• Jewish – 74 incidents (compared to 36 in 2023, resulting in an over 100% increase)
• Black – 36 incidents 
• 2SLGBTQQIA+ – 24 incidents
• Muslim – 15 incidents (compared to 7 in 2023, resulting in an over 100% increase)
• Arab (West Asian, Middle Eastern and North African) – 14 incidents

The OPS Hate and Bias Crime Unit is actively working with the Crown Attorney’s office to fully investigate all reported incidents.

Each and every hate-motivated incident has a lasting impact not only on those who have been targeted, but throughout the neighbourhoods and communities where they occur.

If you have been a victim of a hate-motivated incident you can file a report online or call us at 613-236-1222, extension 7300. If you are in immediate danger, please dial 911 right away.

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366