September 26, 2024 — Brampton, Ontario
Diversity is one of Canada’s greatest strengths. In fact, one in three Canadians belongs to a racialized or religious minority community, making our country a vibrant tapestry of cultures and traditions that enrich us all.
Recent years have seen a troubling rise in hate incidents, which have disproportionately affected Indigenous Peoples; Black, racialized, and religious minority communities; women; persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. Hate not only harms those directly targeted, but it also weakens the fabric of Canadian society, undermining social cohesion and posing a threat to national security.
Hate has no place in Canada. Today, MP Sonia Sidhu highlighted Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, emphasizing the government’s dedication to addressing forms of hate so that every person can feel safe—whether at home, on the streets, in places of worship, or in local communities.
By increasing investment and scaling up efforts to combat hate, the government is strengthening the resiliency of our communities and institutions, building a fairer and safer Canada for future generations. The government has introduced three key pillars as part of the Action Plan on Combatting Hate:
1. Empowering communities to identify and prevent hate.
2. Supporting victims and survivors while protecting communities.
3. Building trust, partnerships, and institutional readiness to address hate.
Budget 2024: Financial Commitments
Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate is supported by significant financial investments. Budget 2024 allocates $273.6 million over six years, with $29.3 million in ongoing funding, to tackle hatred from multiple angles.
Islamophobia and the Muslim Community
Canada has seen a worrying increase in Islamophobia, highlighting the need for urgent, collective action. The government is committed to protecting Muslim communities from bigotry, hate, and religious discrimination.
As part of the Action Plan, Budget 2024 proposes $7.3 million over six years (beginning in 2024-25), with $1.1 million in ongoing funding, to support the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. This investment builds on previous funding of $5.6 million over five years (starting in 2022-23), with $1.2 million ongoing, to further the work of addressing Islamophobia across Canada.
Addressing Anti-Black Racism
Black Canadians have historically faced systemic and social challenges, including racism, discrimination, economic inequality, limited access to culturally appropriate services, and stigma surrounding mental health care.
To address these issues, the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund supports community-based and culturally focused initiatives aimed at increasing health equity and tackling anti-Black racism. Budget 2024 proposes an additional $4 million over two years (starting in 2024-25) for the Public Health Agency of Canada to continue supporting these initiatives.
Through Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, the government is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that hate has no place in our society. Every person has the right to feel safe, valued, and treated with dignity. Together, we must confront hate to foster a stronger sense of belonging and ensure everyone can enjoy the full benefits and opportunities of life in Canada.
