Charlottetown Police announced a campaign to increase hate crime reporting
In 2024, Charlottetown Police Services (CPS) announced a new “proactive” approach to hate crime enforcement. The initiative included public education efforts intended to increase awareness of what residents should report to police and how they should report it.
Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre became concerned that encouraging more hate crime complaints, rather than responding to criminal conduct already occurring, could discourage lawful expression and create pressure for neighbours to report one another over controversial speech.
Lawyers sought records explaining the policy
To better understand the initiative, lawyers funded by the Justice Centre submitted requests under Prince Edward Island’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to Charlottetown Police Services and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
The requests sought records explaining why Charlottetown Police described hate crimes as being under-reported, what evidence supported that conclusion, why increasing reports was viewed as a measure of success, and whether police had considered the potential impact on freedom of expression protected by the Charter.
Constitutional lawyer Glenn Blackett also sought internal communications, training materials, decision-making records, and documents relating to the organizations involved in delivering the public education campaign.
Mr. Blackett warned that encouraging more complaints could create a self-reinforcing cycle in which increased reporting was interpreted as evidence of increased hate crime, leading to calls for even more aggressive enforcement.
Records were also requested from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre also sought records from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation concerning its involvement in the initiative, including correspondence, educational materials, and records relating to training sessions delivered to police officers and members of the public.
The requests aimed to better understand the Foundation’s role in developing and promoting the campaign and whether appropriate consideration had been given to its impact on freedom of expression protected by the Charter.
Matter concluded
Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre have concluded their investigation of this matter.