According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Glossary of Human Rights Terms, racism is a belief that one group is superior or inferior to others. Racism can be openly displayed in racial jokes, slurs or hate crimes. It can also be more deeply rooted in attitudes, values, and stereotypical beliefs. In some cases, people don’t even realize they have these beliefs. Instead, they are assumptions that have evolved over time and have become part of systems and institutions.

Discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly by either imposing a burden on them, or denying them a privilege, benefit or opportunity enjoyed by others, because of their race, citizenship, family status, disability, sex, or other personal characteristics (note: this is not a legal definition).

This prejudice can result in:

• Hostile environments
• Unjust treatment or lack of service
• Lost opportunities
• Lack of sense of belonging
• Physical effects such as hypertension, anxiety, depression
• Violence

Types of Racism

Individual racism is dependent on a singular person’s beliefs and behaviours toward a person or racial group. Individual racism can be either conscious or unconscious and displays as prejudice against others. 

Internalized racism usually occurs in people of colour and Indigenous people and is generally done unknowingly as a survival mechanism. The internalized racist ideologies stem from stereotypes and values attributed to racial and ethnic groups perpetrated by a predominantly white society. This results in self-hatred, feelings of worthlessness and a lack of respect for oneself and one’s race.

• Confronting your internalized racism

Systemic racism is found in political and social institutions and promotes exclusion and discrimination, either deliberately or indirectly, of certain groups of individuals based on their race who are trying to access services or resources such as employment, accommodation, or health care. 

Microaggressions are the daily and subtle behaviours that indicate biases towards marginalized and discriminated groups. Microaggressions can be intentional but often unintentional, with people unaware of their microaggressions.

• In 2023, 36 per cent of discrimination complaints accepted by the Canadian Human Rights Commission related to race, colour, national or ethnic origin.
• In 2023, the number of police-reported hate crimes increased by 32 per cent from 2022.
• In 2022, 54 per cent of police reported hate crimes were motivated by hatred of a race or ethnicity.
• In 2020, 26 per cent of hate crimes specifically targeted Black populations.
• In 2020, 13 per cent of hate crimes targeted Jewish populations.
• There was an increase in discrimination against Asian groups since the beginning of the pandemic.
• In 2021, three racialized groups accounted for more than 16.1 per cent of Canada's population, 7.1 per cent South Asians, 4.7 per cent Chinese, and 4.3 per cent Black.

Source: Statistics Canada: Racialized Groups – Canada at a Glance (2022)

Hate activity is described by the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s glossary of human rights terms as comments or actions against a person or group motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor.

While a hate crime is not specifically defined in the Criminal Code of Canada, there are four offences in the Code that specifically pertain to hate: Advocating Genocide, Public Incitement of Hatred, Wilful Promotion of Hatred and Wilful Promotion of Antisemitism. Read more about hate/bias motivated crimes on the Durham Region Police Service's website.

What to do when facing hate

• Stay safe 
• Contact authorities. If it is an emergency call 9-1-1. For non-emergency incidents, call Durham Region Police Services at 1-888-579-1520 and press 0. 
• Note descriptions and specifics about the incident 
• Provide support to the person experiencing the act of hate 

Call it out: racism, racial discrimination and human rights | Ontario Human Rights Commission

Countering Hate in Canada

• Education and awareness: As many issues are prevalent in our society, education and awareness can always help prevent hate propaganda and allow the population to recognize the wrongs that need to be made right. By incorporating multiculturalism, human rights and positive race relations into the education systems and within training systems, the conversations regarding hate, race, diversity and inclusion become more prominent. These conversations raise awareness and vigilance. As a community, we become less fearful and promote security and solidarity with those facing hate head-on.
• Using the Justice System: The Criminal Code of Canada provides rules and regulations that deal with the hatred manifested across various platforms, whether it is public, private, spoken or scripted. The police services in Canada are responsible for investigating acts of hate and report them to the Crown.
• Act: If it is safe to do so, help someone experiencing discrimination by offering your support or calling for help. 

• Report acts of hate to Durham Region Police Services
• Report Antisemitism hate crime: Anti-Hate Hotline - B'nai Brith Canada
• Report Anti-Asian hate crimes: One Hotline, Many Cold Lines – Voices and Bridges 
• Report Islamophobia: National Council of Canadian Muslims

• Durham Mental Health Services offers a range of crisis supports to assist individuals who are experiencing a personal or situational crisis. Call 1-800-742-1890 for crisis services.
• Canadian Suicide Crisis Helpline. Call 9-8-8
• Black Mental Health Canada supports Black youth and adults.
• Black Youth Helpline provides support for Canadian youth and families. Call 1-833-294-8650.