Canada Hate Crimes Rise

by Aysha Qamar

Hate crimes in Canada are reported to have increased by 47% , primarily targeting Muslims, Jews and black people, according to new figures released by the country’s statistical agency.

According to Statistics Canada, the biggest increase was in crimes targeting Muslims. The increase and reporting come after the deadly mass shooting in a Quebec mosque.

This uprise in hate crimes mimics the increase in crimes in the United States, which according to United States Federal Bureau reports have risen for the third consecutive year.

“We were shocked by the numbers – and, at the same time, we weren’t,” said Ihsaan Gardee, the executive director of the National Council of Canadian Muslims. “This increase didn’t occur in a vacuum.”

Canada is not immune to the rhetoric coming from the United States, said Amira Elghawaby, a board member of the Anti-Hate Network advocacy group.

“It’s a porous border – not just for people and goods but for ideas.”

According to victimization surveys, two-thirds of these crimes go unreported, Statistics Canada said.

Many believe only United States or American Muslims are subject to hate crimes but Canadian Muslims also face a similar distrust and anti-Islamic society.

According to news reports, the number of hate crimes targeting Muslims more than doubled, rising to 349 from 139. The number of hate crimes targeting black people increased by 50%, to 321 from 214. And the number of hate crimes targeting Jewish people increased to 360 from 221.”

It is unknown which scenarios these hate crimes are most common in, whether in youth or adult situations as many crimes go unreported or dismissed as not to do with faith.

“We’re following this closely,” Gardee said. “And we’ll continue to raise our voice for more coordinated action across the board.”