Hate crimes rose five per cent in 2015, here are some details
OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says police-reported hate crimes showed a five per cent increase in 2015, led by a rise in the number of incidents directed at Muslims. Some facts about the findings:
— Hate crimes are defined in the Criminal Code as criminal incidents motivated by hatred toward an identifiable group over factors including race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, language, sex, age, mental or physical disability.
— The code also contains four specific offences listed as hate crimes: advocating genocide, public incitement of hatred, wilful promotion of hatred, and mischief motivated by hate in relation to religious property.
— In 2015, police reported a total of 1,362 criminal incidents motivated by hate, up 67 from the previous year.


