Jewish Community Remains Most Targeted by Hate Crimes
Toronto, ON – May 14, 2025 – Today, the Toronto Police Services Board received the Toronto Police Service 2024 Annual Hate Crimes Statistical Report, revealing that, despite making up less than 4% of Toronto's population, anti-Jewish hate accounted for a staggering 40% of all hate crimes and 81% of religiously motivated hate crimes in the city.
According to the report, hate crime has increased year-over-year since 2019, with “a dramatic 80% spike in 2023 that began immediately after the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel.” That upward trend continued in 2024, with 443 hate crime reports filed in Toronto, up 19% from 2023. Hate crimes targeting Jews rose by nearly 20% and have surged 144% since 2021.
In response to the findings, Michelle Stock, Vice President, Ontario, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), issued the following statement:
“These numbers reflect a disturbing reality: antisemitism in our city is growing more aggressive, more visible, and more tolerated.
“We’re grateful to the Toronto Police Service for their commitment to addressing this disturbing trend, but this is not the responsibility of law enforcement alone.
“A coordinated, cross-government response is essential. That means increased investment in hate crime units, enhanced training for Crown prosecutors, and thoughtful updates to the Criminal Code to close legal gaps that have allowed extremists and hate groups to operate without meaningful repercussions.
“Jewish Canadians – like all Canadians – deserve to feel safe. It’s time for governments to match words with action.”
Additional Background
- Jews Remain the Most Targeted Group: Of the 443 hate crimes reported in 2024, 177 (40%) targeted the Jewish community – the highest of any group.
- Religion-Based Hate Dominated: 46% of all hate crimes were religiously motivated. Of those, 81% were anti-Jewish.
- Mischief-Related Offences Surged: Mischief – including vandalism and graffiti – was the most common hate crime category. Incidents motivated by antisemitism made up 61% of all mischief-related hate crimes, and 33% of all hate crimes overall.
- Threats and Harassment Remain High: While uttering threats slightly declined year-over-year, criminal harassment increased. Both remain more than double the levels reported in 2022, reflecting a sustained post-October 7 surge in hate-motivated behaviour.
- Geographic Hotspot: The highest number of hate crimes occurred in 32 Division (North York) – home to a large Jewish population – where 68% of incidents targeted Jews. Reported hate crimes in that division have tripled since 2022.
- Protest Activity Drives Reporting Spikes: Hate crime reports peaked in May and June, coinciding with anti-Israel protests and encampments at universities. These spikes are attributed to increased public incidents and heightened reporting during volatile events.
- Impact of October 7: The report explicitly links a marked rise in antisemitic, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian hate to the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ensuing war.
- Police Response Measures: Following October 7, Toronto Police expanded the mandate of its Hate Crime Unit to include all related incidents and launched mandatory training modules for officers on Judaism, antisemitism, Islam, and Islamophobia.
- Press Release: Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes in Toronto more than Doubled in 2023
- Press Release: In 2023, Jewish community victimized in 70% of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Canada
- Press Release: Jews subject to more hate crimes than any other group in Toronto in 2022
- Press Release: 2021 Toronto Annual Hate Crime Report
