Quebec City Hate Crimes Data Error is a Symptom of a Deeper Problem

– For Immediate Release –

(Montreal – August 23, 2019) Less than 24 hours after the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) called for the Quebec City Police (SPVQ) to explain the discrepancy in hate crime data, the Quebec City Police admitted that their report was in error. However, the problem is deeper than human error.

Statistics Canada reported 89 incidents of hate crimes in Quebec City in 2018 and the SPVQ reported 27.

“The scale of the discrepancy is far too large for this to have simply been a problem of human error – this was a system failure,” said Mustafa Farooq, NCCM Executive Director. “It’s clear that the SPVQ needs to conduct a comprehensive review of their hate crimes strategy and to take hate crimes in Quebec City seriously. Minority communities in Quebec City have been asking for more action on hate crimes for a long time. It’s time for the SPVQ to listen.”

“What is perhaps even more troubling is that the SPVQ took a major victory lap earlier this year on the decline of hate crimes based on false data,” said Sarah Abou-Bakr, NCCM Community Engagement Officer. “According to Statistics Canada data, hate crimes in Quebec City actually increased from 75 in 2017 to 89 in 2018. Quebecers deserve better from their police force. Minorities who are targeted by hate crimes deserve better.”

The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization that is a leading voice for civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

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