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Ontario to create dedicated hate crime prosecution unit after unanimous motion passes
Ontario's provincial parliament unanimously approved a private member's motion to create a dedicated hate crime prosecution unit within the Crown. The motion, moved by Michelle Cooper, passed on April 16, 2026. The move was welcomed by law and community groups as a step toward more coordinated handling of hate crimes across the province.
Why It Matters
The move aims to bridge gaps in hate crime prosecutions by ensuring specialized prosecutors handle such cases, signaling cross-party commitment to stronger enforcement and accountability.
Timeline
4 Events
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs welcomes measure as coordinated approach
April 16, 2026
The Canadian Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs welcomed the measure, saying it recognises the need for a strong and coordinated approach to hate crimes across the justice system, from police to the courts.
CoHNA Canada welcomes motion, says unit will bridge gaps in hate-crime prosecutions
April 16, 2026
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada welcomed the motion, saying it addresses a gap where hate-crime cases were weakened or dropped and that the specialised unit will help ensure hate crimes are evaluated and prosecuted more effectively and consistently across the province.
Downey characterizes motion as latest step in plan to prevent hate-motivated crimes
April 16, 2026
Ontario’s Attorney General Doug Downey described the motion as the ‘latest step’ in the provincial government’s plan to prevent hate-motivated crimes and hold offenders accountable.
Motion passes unanimously to create dedicated hate crime prosecution unit
April 16, 2026
The private member’s motion moved by Michelle Cooper to establish a dedicated hate crime Crown prosecution unit passed unanimously in the Ontario legislature. Cooper later posted on X describing it as a meaningful step forward in the fight against hate; Attorney General Doug Downey called it the latest step in the plan to prevent hate-motivated crimes and to hold offenders accountable.