XENOPHOBIA, RADICALISM AND HATE CRIME IN CANADA (2020-2022)
Dr. Bàrbara Molas
This report addresses existing discriminatory legislation, practices, attitudes, and movements in the Canadian context between the years 2020 and 2022. It first presents an assessment of the legislation affecting the interests of minorities in the period under consideration, including discriminatory legislation and legislation aimed at combating hate crimes, in order to evaluate the capacity for the Canadian legislative system to protect ethnic, religious, and gender minorities. It also analyses existing law enforcement practices affecting minorities, such as discriminatory practices and state measures to support minorities. By drawing upon both qualitative and quantitative data, this report presents the current social attitudes towards immigrants and other ethnic and religious minorities, focusing on those which may motivate hatred and may have led to reported hate crimes. Finally, we list and expose the nature of contemporary radical-right and radical Islamist groups in Canada, describing its main ideological trends and goals.
The report concludes that there has been a steady increase in negative attitudes towards ethnic minorities, with Muslim and Asian minorities being especially targeted during and after COVID-19. On the other hand, data suggests that Canadians generally cherish their multicultural traditions, and that the government can work harder to make multiculturalism work. We finish by offering general recommendations on how to better prevent radicalization and protect ethnic minorities from hate crimes.
