On January 11, 2024, Toronto Police issued the following press release:
Hate Crime Occurrences
Chief [of Police, Myron] Demkiw also updated the Board on reported hate crimes in Toronto. His remarks will be available here.
From January to September 2023, the Service averaged 47 hate crime related calls for service each month. From October to December 2023, that average increased to 190 hate crime related calls each month.
In 2023, the number of reported hate crime occurrences increased by 42 per cent compared to 2022, with 353 reported in 2023 and 248 reported in 2022. In good news, there was a 48 per cent decrease in reported hate crimes in December 2023 (10 reported) compared to November 2023 (48 reported).
Anti-Semitism continues to account for more reported hate crimes than any other category, making up 37 per cent of all hate crimes reported in 2023. In 2023, there were 132 reported anti-Semitic hate crimes compared to 65 in 2022. There was also 35 reported anti-Muslim/Palestinian/Arab hate crimes in 2023 compared to 12 in 2022.
Also troubling is the 65 per cent increase in LGBTQ2S+ hate crimes reported in 2023, the second highest category – there were 66 reported in 2023 compared to 40 in 2022.
Between October 7, 2023 and January 10, 2024, there have been 54 arrests and 117 charges laid related to hate crime occurrences. Of the 117 charges laid, the most common charges were related to Mischief (24 per cent, 28 charges); Assault (19 per cent, 22 charges); and Uttering Threats (15 per cent, 17 charges).
To date in 2024, there have been three reported hate crimes in Toronto, two that were anti-Semitic and one targeting LGBTQ2S+ communities. As well, the Service has received 145 web submissions to date from people using the Hate Graffiti Web Form.