Toronto (July 27, 2021) - Statistics Canada released hate crime statistics for 2020 today, revealing that police-reported hate crimes increased by 37 per cent last year and reached the highest number ever recorded, 2,669.

According to StatCan's annual police-reported crime statistics report, the Jewish community saw an almost five per cent increase in hate crimes and was the second-most targeted group, with 321 hate crimes, after the Black community, which was the target of 663 hate crimes, a 92 per cent increase from the previous year. The East or Southeast Asian community was the victim of 269 hate crimes, a staggering 301 per cent increase from 2019.

In response to the concerning hate crime statistics, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center President and CEO Michael Levitt issued the following statement:

"These newly released hate crime statistics are extremely troubling but also sadly expected, as many minority communities in Canada reported witnessing a dramatic rise in hate incidents throughout 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic ran rampant, so did hatred. In the Jewish community, we saw a particular increase in antisemitic conspiracy theories about the pandemic, especially on social media platforms. It was a particularly difficult year for the Black and Asian communities, whom we stand with in solidarity against the evil rising tide of racism that in some cases has turned violent. There is no room for any form of hatred in this country, and while we are seeing our federal, provincial and municipal governments take steps, more concrete actions must follow to combat hate, whether it's online, in schools or in our neighbourhoods."