Hate crimes in Brampton and Mississauga have risen sharply, increasing 181 per cent between 2016 and 2024, according to Peel Regional Police data.
Police recorded 166 confirmed hate-motivated incidents in 2024, up from just 59 in 2016, with cases climbing steadily since 2020.
Most incidents were linked to race or ethnicity, followed by religion and sexual orientation. Black and South Asian communities were among the most frequently targeted groups.
Authorities say hate crimes include offences such as threats, harassment, and assault driven by bias, though offensive speech alone does not meet the Criminal Code threshold.
Mayor Patrick Brown called the rise “deeply concerning,” stressing that such acts do not reflect the broader community and urging strong enforcement against offenders.