B.C. bolstering RCMP Hate Crime Unit’s funding

The B.C. government is investing more than $734,000 in the RCMP’s Hate Crime Unit, as reported incidents driven by bias or hatred across the province rise.

“Any form of hate, whether it be through criminal acts or racist language, has no place in British Columbia,” said Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“In response to rising acts of hate in our communities, our government is ensuring the B.C. hate crimes unit has the resources needed to investigate these crimes to the fullest extent possible to hold perpetrators to account.”

The increase in funding will add a further five RCMP officers and one intelligence analyst to the team, increasing the number of officers from the current two to eight.

“British Columbia is home to people from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds. Whether you’re in Dawson Creek, North Vancouver, or any community throughout the province, you see this diversity reflected in our neighbourhoods, our workplaces, and in the cultural celebrations that bring us all together,” Begg said Friday.

“Diversity is our greatest strength. It enriches our communities, drives innovation, and makes B.C. a place of opportunity for everyone. But while we take pride in our inclusivity, we cannot ignore the reality that acts of hate have been on the rise in recent years.

“Over the past year alone, we have seen reprehensible acts of violence here in our province, places of worship have been vandalized, treaty offices have been defaced, and innocent people have been targeted while going about their daily activities. Hate has no place in British Columbia. It only deepens fear, creates division, erodes public safety, and stands in direct opposition to everything we value and believe in.”

Begg shares that B.C. is the only province in the country with a policing unit dedicated to addressing hate crimes.

“Police reported hate crimes in B.C. rose 23 per cent between 2022 and 2023. Incidents motivated by race or ethnicity increased by 12 per cent. Hate crimes targeting religions surged by 51 per cent, and those related to sexual orientation jumped by 43 per cent,” Begg explained.

“One hate crime is one too many. Any form of hate, whether it be through violent acts or recent language, has no place in British Columbia,” he added.

According to the province, the funding for the expansion of the unit comes from its previously announced $230 million investment in policing.

“The funding will strengthen investigations throughout the criminal justice process by ensuring police are equipped with the necessary information and required evidence for prosecutors to conduct thorough charge assessments. It will also support court processes through expert testimony and help support witnesses and victims of hate-motivated crimes,” the province said in a statement on Friday.

The province explains that hate crimes are criminal acts that are driven by “extreme bias or hatred toward a person based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other similar factor.”

“When people are targeted because of who they are, they deserve to know that law enforcement is in their corner and that those responsible will be thoroughly investigated and held accountable,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General.

“This expanded support reflects our government’s commitment to standing up to hate and protecting people’s rights. It’s an investment in a safer, more inclusive B.C., where everyone can live with dignity and without fear,” she added.

RCMP Chief Supt. Elija Rain says the extra funding will allow the Hate Crimes Unit to “even more.”

“While diversity is one of our strengths, demand for expertise offered by the B.C. Hate Crime team has been growing with hate-related incidents here in our province, often being fueled by conflict and unrest in other parts of the world. Whether it is hate-motivated crime, hate propaganda, or non-criminal, but deeply harmful incidents involving hate or bias, we recognize the impact these incidents have on victims and communities,” Rain said.

The unit currently reviews more than 100 files per week, Rain explains, where hate could be a motivating factor.

“The members of our B.C. Hate Crime team are experts and leaders, not just here in British Columbia, but across Canada when it comes to incidents and crimes motivated by hate,” he said.

“This provincial funding will not just make our team larger, but more effective and more efficient, allowing us to be more proactive, responsive, and intelligence-driven than ever before.”