News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2024

Statistics Canada has reported that in 2023, hate crimes targeting sexual orientation increased 69% from the previous year. These numbers are alarming but unsurprising, as this trend has been ongoing for years. From 2016-2023, police-reported hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation have increased a staggering 388%. As noted by Statistics Canada, police-reported hate crimes have risen sharply for the third time in four years. These types of hate crimes target a person’s identity – sexual orientation, race, or religion – and they impact not only the individual, but the wider community. 

Egale Canada is calling on all levels of government to acknowledge and condemn this unacceptable reality of rising hate, and take immediate action to address it. We cannot allow the hate and violence to continue.

In Canada, one of our core shared values is that everyone – no matter which part of the country they live in – should feel safe to be their authentic self. But we are continuing to see some of our political leaders contributing to the spread of hate that is threatening the safety, freedoms, and rights of 2SLGBTQI people. An increasing number of discriminatory comments, policies, legislation, and bylaws are occurring across the country. We have seen it at the national level, in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and even in local municipalities. The words and actions by some in power are causing fear, division, and leading to devastating real-life consequences for 2SLGBTQI communities. 

From this latest increase in hate crimes, to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) warning of ongoing threats of violence, to individual drag performers and local 2SLGBTQI community organizations needing to take legal action to protect themselves, this trend of increasing violence and hate shows no sign of stopping. 

Join Egale in calling on all levels of government to immediately condemn the hate and violence. Together we can build a Canada, and ultimately a world, without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and all other forms of oppression so that every person can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias.

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Representatives from Egale Canada are available for further comment on this matter. To schedule an interview please email: media@egale.ca. 

Egale Canada has launched the Rainbow Action Hub – a one-stop shop for the why and how to combat the rise of anti-2SLGBTQI hate in Canada. The hub includes resources, tools, education, and information aimed at 2SLGBTQI organizations, advocates and activists.