New hate-crime bill must confront the enforcement gap
2025/10/29 1 Comment
As in most areas, implementation and enforcement are important in themselves as well as for government credibility. Some of these suggestions are more realistic than others. Linguistic expertise may be less important given ongoing improvements in translation software for some languages:
…To have real impact, Ottawa’s new hate-crime bill must establish, fund and train specialized prosecution units, specifically on sections 318–320 of the Criminal Code and on digital evidence so that prosecutors are less inclined to vacillate when faced with complex hate-crime files.
For instance, developing linguistic expertise so investigators can examine hate content in minority languages would greatly help in properly translating, transcribing and admitting key evidence in court. Protection under the law should not be weakened by the legal system’s linguistic blind spots.
Finally, the upcoming reforms must guarantee support for victims and witnesses all the way through prosecution to verdict — not just during the initial complaint stage. Otherwise, communities that face repeated targeting cannot be expected to engage with enforcement efforts.
Such fundamental steps are what transform recognition of hate crime into deterrence.
The case of the Montreal man being found not criminally responsible after a Jewish man was attacked reinforces that communities will accept humane outcomes if they also see consistent deterrence. Right now, they don’t.
Unless enforcement is prioritized, the new bill could amount to a replay of ambition without results.
Beyond any doubt, Canada has become proficient at counting hate. Lawmakers now have the chance to prove we can also punish it. Victims have shown courage by reporting; it is time for Parliament to show equal valour by closing the enforcement gap.
Daniel Robson is an independent Canadian journalist specializing in extremism, terrorism and crime, focusing on national and community security, and the legal, institutional and policy dimensions of public safety. X: @DanielRobs77090
Source: New hate-crime bill must confront the enforcement gap
About Andrew
Multicultural Meanderings 
Unless I am mistaken, most bills which amend the Criminal Code do not normally also fund new police units. Because those are funded through the budget. But of course, creating a new crime without funding its enforcement is futile.