The B.C. RCMP Divisional Headquarters is seen, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Hate aimed at religion, sexual orientation and race or ethnicity has jumped in British Columbia, setting off a funding increase for the RCMP's hate crimes unit.

Public Safety Minister Garry Begg announced an additional $734,000 for the RCMP's anti-hate crime unit in the province as police-reported hate crimes rose by an average of 23 per cent from 2022 to 2023.

Chief Supt. Elija Rain in charge of the provincial RCMP major crime section says the additional funding marks a "significant expansion" to combat hate-related crimes, which he says are often "fuelled by conflict and unrest in other parts of the world."

Begg says hate crimes related to religion rose by 51 per cent during the same period, while crimes related to sexual orientation were up by 43 per cent.

The extra money for the hate crimes unit — the only one of its kind in Canada — will pay for six more officers and an intelligence analyst for a year, but Begg says the funding will grow as the need increases.

The government says the funding will also strengthen investigations through the criminal-justice process, ensuring police are equipped with required evidence for prosecutors, and that victims of the crimes are supported through the court process.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver welcomed the funding in a joint statement.

Nico Slobinsky, vice-president of CIJA's Pacific Region, says the Jewish community has made it a "long-standing priority" to work with the provincial government to ensure law enforcement has the necessary resources.

Slobinsky adds that the additional funding sends a clear message that "all communities targeted by hatred and discrimination" will receive the "protection, peace of mind, and justice they deserve."

Friday's announcement, however, leaves several questions unanswered.

Begg said he could not offer specifics, when asked which sexual minorities or religious groups were targeted. Begg could also not offer specific numbers about religiously motivated hate crimes in the aftermath of Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

According to a survey conducted for CIJA, 62 per cent of Jewish British Columbians say they have experienced at least one antisemitic incident, with 61 per cent saying they have struggled with mental health issues since Oct. 7, 2023.

According to the survey, 93 per cent say they have felt "less secure" since Oct. 7 with four per cent saying they feel as "secure" today as they did before Oct. 7.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025