There has been a 41% jump in hate crimes in Toronto: Police chief

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There has been a 41% spike in hate crimes, compared to last year, says Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw.

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Between Jan. 1 and Dec.17, there were 338 reported hate crimes, a 41% increase, compared to the same period in 2022 when 239 were reported, Demkiw told a meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board on Tuesday.

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This includes 147 anti-Semitic hate crimes reported this year, compared to 81 reported during the same period in 2022. There were 37 anti-Muslim/Palestinian/Arab hate crimes reported, versus 14 reported during the same period last year.

“We are steadfast in our resolve to ensure that Palestinian, Muslim, Jewish — all communities for that matter — are kept safe from acts of hatred and violence,” Demkiw said. “While the Jewish, Palestinian and Muslim communities have demonstrated tremendous resiliency during these incredibly challenging times, as a police service we continue to be resolute; committed to ensuring public safety and security, while also ensuring that the constitutional right to free speech is maintained.”

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Between Oct. 7 — the day Hamas attacked Israel —  and Dec. 17,  there have been 98 hate crimes reported in Toronto, compared to 48 during the same period last year. They include 56 anti-Semitic hate crimes and 20 anti-Muslim/Palestinian/Arab hate crimes.

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There has also been 11 reported hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ communities.

Since Oct. 7 this year, police made 43 arrests and laid 96 charges related to hate crime occurrences.

“We will be relentless, indeed resolute, in our pursuit of those who perpetrate crimes against any group or community. Hatred will have no space in our city,” insisted Demkiw.

Of the 96 charges laid, 29% have been mischief related and 17% have been assault related.

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