Reaction to hate crime arrests

Hamilton police will be presenting the temple arson as a hate crime. A hate crime is a criminal offence directed at a person or property and is based on perceived human differences which can range from race and colour to religion and sexual orientation. The Canadian criminal code allows for increased penalties when sentencing if there is evidence that the crime was motivated by bias, prejudice or hatred toward a particular group. According to Statistics Canada, twelve adult hate crime cases were prosecuted in 2011-2012.

As for reaction to Wednesday’s arrests, members of the Hindu Samaj Temple were as surprised as anyone when the news broke in the morning. It’s been a long 12 years rebuilding their place of worship but now that the work is almost done, they say they are stronger than ever. Lisa Hepfner has reaction to the arrests.