The Nelson Police Department is committed to combating hate in all forms, and we need your help. If you witness or have been the victim of a hate crime or hate-related incident, please report it to the Nelson Police Department immediately.  

A hate crime is a criminal offence against a person or property that is based upon the victim’s race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, or any other similar factor.

How to report a hate crime or hate-related incident:

2. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate crime, you can report it through the following channels:

1. Non-Emergency: 250-354-3919
2. Visit Us: 606 Stanley St, Nelson BC

If you're unsure whether an incident qualifies as a hate crime, please report it at 250-354-3919. We will assess the situation and advise accordingly.

To remain anonymous when reporting a hate crime, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Types of hate crimes include:

• Race or ethnicity: Targeting someone because of their skin color, nationality, or ethnic background.
• Religion or belief: Attacks based on faith, religious practices, or lack of belief.
• Sexual orientation: Crimes targeting individuals based on their real or perceived sexual orientation.
• Gender identity: Crimes targeting transgender or non-binary individuals.
• Disability: Crimes targeting individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

Hate propaganda

Two sections in the Criminal Code of Canada deal with hate propaganda:

Section 318 – Advocating genocide

Genocide is the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, any identifiable group by killing members or deliberately “inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.”

Groups can be identified by colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental or physical disability.

Section 319 (1) – Public incitement of hatred and 319 (2)

Everyone who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace.

Section 319 (2) – Willful promotion of hatred

Everyone who, by communicating statements, other than in private conversation, willfully promotes hatred against any identifiable group.

Definition of mischief to religious property

Section 430(4.1) of the Criminal Code of Canada is used to specifically address crimes against places of worship.

Every one who commits mischief in relation to property that is a building, structure or part thereof that is primarily used for religious worship, including a church, mosque, synagogue or temple, or an object associated with religious worship located in or on the grounds of such a building or structure, or a cemetery, if the commission of the mischief is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on religion, race, colour or national or ethnic origin.

NPD Victim Services

NPD Victim Services staff are not police officers. They are civilian employees with specialized training in emotional support, crisis intervention, and communication skills, and with education in areas such as psychology and social work.

Staff are available to provide free and confidential support to victims, witnesses, and family members affected by crime and trauma. 250-505-5657.

VictimLinkBC

VictimLinkBC  is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to  VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca.

They provide information and referrals to all victims of crime, and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.

VictimLinkBC provides service in up to 150 languages, including many North American Indigenous languages.