Standing Together Against Hate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 1, 2026 2:30 p.m.
(Ottawa)— We are deeply concerned by recent events in our region, including threats made against a mosque in Aylmer, Quebec, and hate-motivated incidents here in Ottawa. Although both incidents have resulted in serious charges being laid, members of our communities may feel targeted or unsettled.
An increased police presence will be visible at religious and cultural institutions.
Hate-motivated incidents continue to shake our sense of safety and remind us how deeply harmful these threats can be. Hate, whether expressed through threats, violence, or harassment, has no place in our communities. Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and able to live, work, visit and practice their beliefs without fear.
Earlier this year, Statistics Canada reported that the Ottawa-Gatineau area has a relatively high rate of police-reported hate crimes compared to other cities. This may reflect, in part, to the efforts put in at the Ottawa Police to build stronger relationships with affected communities and partners, and to encourage individuals and third-party witnesses to come forward and report incidents with confidence through multiple reporting options. We continue to be committed to addressing hate-motivated incidents through thorough, unbiased investigations and sustained community collaboration.
Ensuring safe, inclusive communities is a shared responsibility. We all have a role to play in standing up to hate, supporting one another, and to reject hate in all its forms.
If you experience or witness a hate-motivated incident, please report it. Reporting helps ensure that incidents are investigated, victims and communities are supported, and it contributes to a clearer understanding of what communities are facing.
Reporting Options:
- Call the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300, or 9-1-1 if it is a crime in progress.
- File a report online at ottawapolice.ca/report
- Submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or https://www.crimestoppers.ca
- Ottawa Victim Services offers a specialized online tool for reporting, which can be used to report incidents if a victim is uncomfortable contacting the police directly.
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Through the Community Safety Data portal, data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.
Help make your community safer: register your information and security camera location at CAMSafe.ca to support investigations.
CONTACT:
Media Relations
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366
