Hamilton police report 12% spike in hate crimes in 2025

Hamilton saw a 12 per cent spike in hate and bias incidents in 2025, as police recorded 332 occurrences including 138 criminal offences.

Officers say the majority of occurrences were racially motivated, followed by incidents involving religion and sexual orientation. The Black, Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities were most frequently impacted.

Additionally, hate-motivated graffiti accounted for 54 per cent of the 138 hate crimes reported in 2025, making it the most common type of hate crime.

The 2025 report utilizes a new Statistics Canada framework, allowing police to record multiple hate motivations for a single incident and improving overall data accuracy.

“Hate crimes and hate incidents can have a lasting impact on victims and the communities they target,” says Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen.

“By reporting these incidents, supporting those affected and working together, we can build a safer, more inclusive Hamilton where hate is not tolerated.”

In June 2024, detectives launched the Hate Crime Case Review Team (HCCRT), a collaborative, community-driven initiative to improve accountability and transparency in hate crime investigations.

In 2025, the team reviewed 50 of a randomized sample of 124 hate-related cases between 2018 and 2021, a statistically significant 95 per cent confidence sample.

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Officers say these insights will help shape service delivery, identify gaps and strengthen Hamilton police’s response to hate-motivated incidents. A final report with recommendations is expected in December of this year.

Since 2019, Hamilton police have implemented proactive strategies to prevent and respond to hate crimes.

Some of these include mandatory hate crime training for recruits, expanding online reporting tools, supporting 111 new victims in 2025 and joining the OPP-led Provincial Anti-Terrorism Section.

Police are asking the public to report all hate and bias incidents no matter how minor they may seem. Despite the increase in reports, hate crimes remain vastly underreported.

“Together, we can break the cycle of hate. It starts with listening, learning, and standing up for each other,” Bergen says.

To report a hate crime or bias-motivated incident, call 911 in an emergency or 905-546-4925 for non-emergencies.

Reports can also be made online or in person at any Hamilton Police Service station.

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