Canadian Race Relations Foundation: Finding Real Solutions Against Rising Hate

Eliminating racial discrimination is not a challenge with simple, permanent solutions. It’s a body of moving targets in a constantly changing landscape.  

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a moment to take stock of what's changed, what's improved, and what's gotten worse for racialized and religious minority communities.  

In Canada, our picture is mixed. 

Hate crimes in this country have been on the rise in recent years. From 2019 to 2022, the number of police-reported hate crimes rose by 83%— with racialized communities disproportionately impacted by these incidents—and that's without considering the estimated 80% of hate crimes that go unreported across the country every year. 

Online, hate is amplified without limit. Digital platforms have served as breeding grounds for hate speech and extremist ideologies. Recent research shows a concerning rise in online hate speech targeting racialized communities, and social media platforms have not done enough to stop the spread of hate, misinformation and disinformation.  

But behind the grim numbers, individuals and communities across the country continue to stretch and strain to bridge divides and find real solutions.  

From the important inclusion and improvements of sections addressing hate in a recent federal bill addressing online harms, a first step in protecting everyone, including our youth and young adults from online acts of hate, threats, and violence, to the Black Canadian civil society leaders who shared their reflection and recommendations following the first International Decade for People of African Descent. From the patients, healthcare workers and medical experts who weighed in on racism – and initiatives to rectify it – in Canada's healthcare system in our new podcast, to the hundreds of groups organizing events and launching projects to fight racism in their communities across Canada. 

We know that racism won't be eliminated tomorrow, and in the meantime, injustice persists. But in Canada, one in four people are racialized, and that number is only growing. The landscape may shift, and the targets may move, but doubling down to end systemic racism is our only option.  

We're excited to support anti-racism work for and by communities across Canada, through our National Anti-Racism Fund. This month, in honour of #IDERD, activities include:  

2024 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in New Glasgow: Ubuntu: I am because we are, on March 21^st  

Recreating Community Together, on March 21^st  

Anti-Racism Art Exhibition, on March 21^st

Share Your Voice Anti-Racism Workshop on March 22^nd

Anti-racism In The Community March 28^th