Two-thirds of hate crimes are not reported. Stats Canada is reporting they’re on the rise with an increase of 5 per cent in 2015.
Khalid Elgazzar of the National Council of Canadian Muslims says that was a very tough year wth heated political rhetoric during the federal election campaign which painted Muslims in a negative light followed by contentious debate on allowing Syrian refugees into the country.
A news conference in Ottawa was told Muslim and Jewish women bear the brunt of hate crimes.
Author Chelby Daigle says since 2012 most hate crimes have been directed toward blacks and the perpetrators were young people.