Statistics Canada Reports Hate Crimes Up in Canada

Statistics Canada earlier today reported that police-reported hate crimes were up 35% in Canada from 2007:

"Police services in Canada reported 1,036 hate crimes in 2008, up 35% from 2007. Just over half (55%) were motivated by race or ethnicity, 26% by religion and 16% by sexual orientation."

"All three major categories of hate crime increased in 2008. The largest increase was among those motivated by sexual orientation, which more than doubled from 2007 to 2008. Hate crimes motivated by religion increased 53%, while those motivated by race or ethnicity increased to a lesser extent, up 15%."

"Violent crimes, mainly assaults and uttering threats, accounted for 42% of all hate crimes. Mischief offences such as vandalism to property accounted for 47%, while other non-violent offences comprised the remaining 11%."

Blacks were the most commonly targeted racial group. The Jewish faith was the most commonly targeted religion.