Backgrounder

Ministry of the Attorney General

Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

For Immediate Release
December 8, 2006

The Hate Crimes Community Working Group was appointed by Attorney General Michael Bryant and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Monte Kwinter in December 2005. The group's mandate was to advise the ministers on approaches to address hate crimes in the province, including measures to enhance services to hate crime victims and to reduce hate crime victimization directed at both individuals and communities at large.

The 10 members brought to their task a diversity of community perspectives, expertise and experience in addressing hate crime. The working group reviewed published research, held regional community meetings and focus groups, circulated an electronic questionnaire to agencies involved in hate crime work, and met with academics, lawyers, government officials, victim services staff, prosecutors, police and educators. The working group heard directly from representatives of many victimized groups, such as the Aboriginal, African Canadian, Jewish, Arab, Muslim, South Asian, East Asian, and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered/(Two-Spirited)/Intersexed communities. In all, the working group received input from more than 600 stakeholders and community members.

Members of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group

Chair: Karen Mock

Members: Marie Chen, Germaine Elliott, Bernie Farber, Raja Khouri, Ijaz Qamar, Uzma Shakir, Howard Shulman, Anne-Marie Stewart, Jane Tallim.

Proposed Strategy

The working group proposed a strategy to encourage proactivity, inclusiveness, innovation and effectiveness in response to hate crimes and hate incidents, and in support for victims of hate. The strategy goes beyond the hate offences identified in the Criminal Code. It addresses not only individual acts of hate but also attitudes, systems, structures and arrangements that may facilitate or excuse them.

The working group included goals and objective statements under each component of the strategy, and made recommendations to help achieve these. The strategy includes a broad range of areas in relation to hate and hate crimes, including the unique position of Aboriginal peoples, the role of communities, education and training for professionals who deal with victims, services to victims, response and remedies within the justice system, and public awareness and understanding.

This document will be translated into 21 languages and will be available at www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca shortly.

The full report is available in English and French on the ministry website at www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca.

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Contacts: Brendan Crawley Ministry of the Attorney General Communications Branch 416 326-2210	Anthony Brown Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Communications Branch 416 314-7772

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