Statistics Canada has released new numbers on hate crimes in the country for 2022. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Hate crimes in Lethbridge & Alberta below national average in 2022

Mar 14, 2024 | 8:59 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Statistics Canada has released new numbers on hate crimes in the country.

In 2022, they say there were a total of 3,576 hate crimes reported to police services across the country for a rate of 9.2 incidents per 100,000 population.

It represents an increase of seven per cent compared to 2021.

Nationally, the most common target of hate crimes were Black people, who accounted for 24 per cent of all victims, followed by Jewish people at 15 per cent.

Alberta’s police services received 316 reports of hate crimes in 2022, falling from 339 the year prior.

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When comparing the rates of hate crimes across Canada, Alberta was in the middle of the pack with a rate of 6.9 per 100,000 population, the fifth highest out of the 10 provinces.

Ontario had the highest rate of hate crimes at 12.7 per 100,000 population while Newfoundland and Labrador was at the bottom at just three.

In Lethbridge, there were 11 instances of hate crimes in 2022, a slight increase from 10 in 2021 and eight in 2020.

The 2022 figure gives Lethbridge a hate crime rate of 8.4 per 100,000 population, marginally lower than Calgary’s rate of 8.6 but higher than Edmonton’s 5.7.

The full report on police-reported hate crimes for 2022 can be found on the Statistics Canada website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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