The majority of “hate crimes and incidents” in Richmond were against the LGBTQ community, largely the vandalism of rainbow crosswalks.
Last summer, a rainbow crosswalk at Palmer secondary was repeatedly vandalized shortly after being installed.
Richmond RCMP reported there were 25 "hate" crimes or incidents in the city in 2023, down from a high of 45 in 2021. In 2022, there were 34 such incidents.
In its list of hate crimes and incidents in a report to city council, Richmond RCMP note there were three reported to them that targeted the Chinese community.
Twice there were incidents of swastika flags being displayed, and twice the South Asian population was targeted.
Other incidents – one each - were against Black, Christian, Jewish and Asian communities.
There were six incidents reported to police that were considered “hate crimes” while the other 19 were classified as “hate incidents.”
A hate “incident” doesn’t meet the threshold of criminal activity, police note in their report going to this week’s community safety meeting.
“Hate” per se doesn't exist as a crime on its own in the Criminal Code of Canada.
However, inciting hatred, promoting hatred, advocating or promoting genocide, spreading hate propaganda or antisemitism are listed as crimes in the Criminal Code of Canada.
But even if the crime doesn’t fall under one of these categories, judges can take hate into consideration when sentencing, that is, weighing whether it’s a factor or motivation in committing the crime.
This could be a bias, prejudice or hate based on colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or mental or physical disability.
