ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ontario to create specialized hate crime prosecutors
It proposes a dedicated Crown unit to advise police and handle hate crime cases across the province.
-
Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 20, Apr 2026
- 16:53 EDT
- 17
Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario, Michelle Cooper / Wikipedia
Ontario’s legislature has passed a motion calling for the creation of a specialized team of prosecutors dedicated to handling hate crime cases, amid a sustained rise in such incidents across the province and the rest of Canada.
The motion, introduced by Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario, Michelle Cooper, was adopted unanimously at Queen’s Park following debate on April 16.
Also Read: HCF applauds Ottawa’s proposed protest protection to places of worship
It calls for the establishment of a dedicated Crown prosecution unit with specialized prosecutors across the province’s regions to handle hate-related cases more consistently.
According to legislative proceedings, the proposed unit would provide pre- and post-charge advice to police, improve coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors, and ensure that hate crimes—often complex to investigate and prosecute—are handled with greater expertise.
CoHNA applauds Hon. MPP @MichelleC_PC for securing a big win in the ongoing fight to better tackle Hate Crimes. The passage of "Motion 58" in the Legislature, now requires Ontario to create a specialized team of prosecutors, who only handle hate crimes.
— CoHNA Canada (@CoHNACanada) April 20, 2026
Right now, many… pic.twitter.com/0g29mjURbQ
The move comes as hate crimes continue to rise nationwide. Data cited during the debate indicates that police-reported hate crimes in Canada have increased sharply in recent years, with nearly 4,900 incidents recorded in 2024.
Ontario accounts for a significant share of these cases, with incidents rising steadily over the past four years.
During the debate, Cooper said hate crimes require specialized handling due to their motive, context, and broader community impact, adding that inconsistent prosecution can weaken outcomes and erode public confidence in the justice system.
Support for the motion cut across party lines, with lawmakers noting that hate crimes target multiple communities, including religious and racial groups, and require a coordinated legal response.
Legislators also highlighted gaps in the current system, where some police services have dedicated hate crime units but prosecutors often lack similar specialization.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada welcomed the measure, stating that the absence of specialized prosecutors has led to cases being “weakened or dropped.”
Citing broader trends, CoHNA pointed to data from Statistics Canada showing a rise in hate crimes targeting South Asians, as well as increasing online harassment. It also highlighted underreporting due to unclear reporting processes and reluctance among victims to engage with law enforcement.
The organization said the proposed unit could help ensure greater consistency and accountability in how hate-related incidents are prosecuted.
CoHNA also raised concerns that incidents involving hate or bias against communities, including Hindu Canadians, do not always result in hate crime charges. It noted that the Attorney General’s Hate Crime Working Group provides guidance but does not have the authority to prosecute or make final decisions.
The group reiterated its “Suraksha” initiative, which focuses on educating law enforcement and policymakers on Hindu cultural practices and anti-Hindu bias while strengthening reporting and response mechanisms for hate incidents.
The motion is non-binding but signals legislative intent for the provincial government to establish the specialized unit. Lawmakers said it marks a step toward strengthening Ontario’s response to hate crimes, though broader challenges, including court backlogs and resource constraints, remain.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login