One in six Canadians say they have definitely or possibly been the target of a hate incident in the past year

The Race Relations in Canada 2024 Survey is the most comprehensive national survey to date focusing on Canadians’ experience with hate, a rapidly spreading form of anti-social aggressive racism directed at people, most commonly because of their race, ethnicity or religion.

The results show that a small, but significant, minority of Canadians report having been definitely (7%) or possibly (8%) targeted by a hate incident or crime in the past year, and others have had indirect exposure through the experiences of other people they know. In total, three in ten (29%) Canadians have been exposed to hate directly or indirectly in the past year, due to who they are or how they are perceived by others. Not surprisingly, such experiences with hate are most common among Canadians who are also most likely to experience racism in other forms, but especially people who are First Nations, Black or Jewish.

Canada is a much different place than it was three years ago. In 2021, the topic of racial justice was front and centre in the public discourse in response to George Floyd’s tragic murder, the Black Lives Matter movement, anti-Asian harassment, and uneven progress toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Today, the focus has shifted to the high cost of living, with many Canadians experiencing financial instability and uncertain futures. Cities are faced with managing growing populations with limited budgets, and are falling short in maintaining essential infrastructure and addressing the needs of unhoused and under-housed residents. The federal government that swept into power a decade ago on former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s promise of progressive transformation has run its course, and has been replaced by Mark Carney’s focus on the economy and on protecting Canada’s sovereignty from a newly aggressive U.S. government.