BC Gov News

Niki Sharma, Attorney General, and Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, have released the following statement in response to the introduction of new proposed Criminal Code amendments by the federal government: 

“We welcome today’s federal legislation creating new Criminal Code offences targeting hate crimes. Our government has long called for stronger tools to help law enforcement act against hate and to better protect people in their places of worship, cultural centres and community spaces. These new offences will also give police and prosecutors clearer legal pathways to pursue hate-motivated cases, helping to ensure accountability for those who spread hate and cause harm. We are encouraged that the federal government has heard and responded to our advocacy.

“Here in B.C., police-reported hate crimes rose by 23% from 2022 to 2023. Incidents motivated by race or ethnicity increased by 12%, those targeting religion surged by more than 50% and hate crimes related to sexual orientation jumped by 43%. Addressing this disturbing rise in hate crimes is a top priority for our government. We are the only province to have a dedicated Integrated Hate Crimes Unit within the RCMP and have invested in initiatives like the Racist Incident Helpline, Anti-Hate Community Support Fund, and through federal contributions, the Shift B.C. program, which focuses on preventing radicalized violence by offering support to individuals at risk.

“This new federal legislation provides another important tool to strengthen our response and continue that vital work. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the federal government to ensure local law enforcement have the tools they need to combat hate in our communities.

“At the same time, there is still much more to do. We continue to urge the federal government to bring forward further amendments to strengthen the Criminal Code, including improvements to bail laws, stronger penalties for repeat violent offenders and better protections for survivors of intimate-partner violence. Ottawa has indicated its intent to act on these areas, and we look forward to seeing those commitments reflected in future legislation this fall.”

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities and we will continue working across government and alongside our community partners to build systemic, long-term solutions to address the complex issues that allow hate to take root.”