OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says police-reported hate crimes declined for a second consecutive year in 2011.
But while the number hate crimes based on race, ethnicity and religion went down, there was a 10 per cent increase in crimes based on sexual orientation.
The agency says police reported 1,332 hate crimes in 2011 or 3.9 hate crimes per 100,000 members of the population, a rate 5 per cent lower than in 2010.
In 2011, three primary motivations accounted for more than 95 per cent of hate crimes, with race or ethnicity representing more than half of the total.
Religious hate crimes comprised 25 per cent, while crimes motivated by sexual orientation made up 18 per cent.
Between 2010 and 2011, police-reported hate crimes motivated by religion declined 17 per cent and those focused on race or ethnicity slipped four per cent, while those based on sexual orientation increased.
Overall, the majority of hate crimes reported by police involved non-violent offences; mischief – including vandalism, graffiti and other destruction of property – was the most commonly reported offence.
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