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Widespread, unrestrained hatred and polarization in the United States recently jolted Americans when conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was gunned down in broad daylight. As thousands of attentive students at Kirk’s Utah event watched in horror, thousands more have seen it unfold online — an experience none will easily forget.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the U.S. became engulfed in extremist reactions, unsubstantiated accusations and escalatory rhetoric.
The hatred and violence have barely subsided. U.S. President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth stoked further fears while addressing an assembly of American generals and admirals and warning of an “enemy from within” that needs to be met with military force in some of America’s largest cities.
Language fuels extremism
Political violence has long been associated with the United States. But heated and volatile politics is fuelling extremist movements around the world, undermining social cohesion and the political stability required for sustainable peace and prosperity.
Canada is facing this same challenge and needs urgently to reverse the trend.
In a previous article published shortly after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks against Israel by Hamas, one of us warned of a dangerous surge in hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim communities in Canada.
Decisive action was urged to protect vulnerable populations. Those fears have not only materialized, but have intensified.
Crisis in Canada, too
The June 2025 assassination of Melissa Hortman, Democratic speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and attacks on other legislators, starkly illustrates the prevailing threat — not just in the U.S., but in Canada as well.
Canadian lawmakers are facing greatly increased threats. In 2020, a former Canadian army reservist rammed his truck through the gates of Rideau Hall to confront Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with firearms in what a judge called a “politically motivated armed assault intended to intimidate Canada’s elected government.”
Some argue we’re living in a “hateful era of public speech” as toxic language emboldens real-world violence.
This grim reality echoed throughout the International Conference on Countering Hate and Polarization at the University of Ottawa in May 2025, when community leaders, scholars, practitioners and policymakers came together to discuss possible solutions to the crisis.
Rising hate crimes
Hate crimes motivated by racism, homophobia, antisemitism and Islamophobia have sharply increased in Canada, according to statistics from Canadian police services:
- There were 4,777 hate-motivated incidents in 2023, a 32 per cent increase over 2022 (3,612 incidents)
- That marked the third sharp rise in four years and was more than double the 2019 rate
- Religion-based hate crimes surged 67 per cent
- Antisemitic incidents were up 71 per cent (900 cases)
- Islamophobic incidents were up 94 per cent (211 cases).
These are only the reported and recorded cases; undoubtedly, there are many more incidents since victims often fear reporting, or incidents are not categorized by police as hate crimes.
Marginalized groups in Canada, including diaspora communities, face particular vulnerability, as discussed at the Ottawa conference by representatives of different communities, including Hazaras, Yazidis, Hizmet and others.
Small minorities are especially targeted and vulnerable. They endure threats, intimidation and surveillance connected to overseas conflicts, compounding historical trauma and undermining their sense of safety, security and belonging in Canada.
The ongoing hate rhetoric against diaspora communities both in their countries of origin and in Canada fuels hate crimes against them and facilitates the increasing transnational repression aimed against them.
The role of social media
Social media platforms thrive on outrage, amplifying divisive content that fuels anger and resentment.
Experts at the Ottawa conference emphasized that algorithms reward inflammatory posts, creating echo chambers that isolate communities and silence diverse perspectives. So far, profit-seeking social media corporations and their directors have been shielded from any accountability or liability — criminal or civil — despite established roles in political violence, including genocides.
This state of affairs has motivated some jurisdictions, like Australia, to ban social media for children.
But addressing hate and polarization requires more than stronger laws. While it’s critical to enhance existing legal tools, such as clearly defining hate-motivated crimes, it’s not enough without broader systemic reforms.
5 ways to take concrete action
1. Online platforms must be held accountable.
The European Union’s Digital Services Act offers a useful model for regulating harmful online content, emphasizing transparency and responsibility. Canada should adopt similar measures, ensuring tech companies prioritize public safety over profit.
At the University of Ottawa conference, speakers highlighted Canada’s proposed Online Harms Act (Bill C-63), underlining the need for balanced, carefully defined legislation that safeguards free expression while effectively combating online hate.
2. Police and prosecutors need better training.
At the Ottawa conference, Mariam Musse of the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime, along with policy and legal researcher Hannan Mohamud, explained that police often lack the necessary cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed approaches.
Implementing mandatory anti-bias and human rights training can help build trust between law enforcement and communities. Positive examples in Toronto and Ottawa shed light, but need guaranteed, long-term funding.
3. Canada must focus its response on victims.
Strengthening the 10-year-old Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, increasing funding for culturally sensitive support services and improving access to compensation can empower victims and help communities heal. Collecting detailed demographic data is critical to understand the full impact of hate crimes and tailor effective solutions.
4. Community-led dialogue initiatives are essential.
Investing in grassroots organizations that regularly bring diverse groups together can build genuine relationships and reduce prejudice. This must begin in schools.
5. Addressing socio-economic inequalities is crucial.
At the Ottawa conference, Victoria Kuketz of the Public Policy Forum’s Democracy Project pointed out that financial pressures, housing crises and political opportunism fuel resentment and radicalization. Tackling these issues through inclusive social policies will reduce the appeal of hateful narratives.
Our shared responsibility
Effective activism requires a clear, hopeful vision, not just resistance to threats. Without a positive vision for society, efforts risk becoming reactionary rather than transformative.
Canada is long past the warning stage: hate and polarization are palpably threatening our democracy, social cohesion and public safety every day. The path forward is clear: collective, sustained and compassionate action through means and approaches that are proven to work.
So far, Canada’s response is inadequate, hesitant and late.
Policymakers need to take action, including establishing a dedicated national body to address all hate-motivated crime, working with provincial authorities to support local programs across Canada and promoting community-wide actions tailored to specific needs.
By embracing dialogue, strengthening communities and implementing systemic reforms, the rich diversity that defines Canada will be protected and a safer future will be secured for everyone. But it requires investing in the proven methods of countering hate and polarization and ending the blight with determination and urgency.