McGuinty
Government Makes Communities Safer By Targeting Hate Crimes and Extremism
Expanding A Network To Support Police Investigations
TORONTO, Aug. 25 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is making Ontario safer by expanding a network to support police units that target hate crime and extremism, Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Monte Kwinter said today.
"There is no place for hate and extremism in Ontario," said Kwinter. "Our government is committed to protecting everyone from intolerance and hate."
The Province is providing funding of $200,000 to support the Joint Forces Hate Crimes/Extremism Investigative Team (HCEIT). This funding will support HCEIT in its expansion from five to 10 police services, and finance analytical services, officer training and the production of front-line education materials.
The new police services to join the network are Toronto, Durham, York Region, Halton and Oxford. The network already supports police services in Waterloo, Guelph, Ottawa, Hamilton and London.
The HCEIT provides specialized investigative support to police on matters involving hate propaganda, the promotion of genocide, hate-motivated crimes and criminal extremism. By collecting and sharing intelligence on potential
problems, the team helps police services develop ways of preventing hate crimes and extremism. It also provides training for front line officers who are first responders to hate crime incidents, and works with school boards and
community groups to help them identify and respond to issues of hate and extremism.
"This expansion of the HCEIT network gives officers additional support in our efforts to fight hate crimes and extremism," said Armand La Barge, president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. "Police hate crimes
units will make full use of the support and intelligence provided by the team
as we continue to aggressively enforce hate crime laws."
Police services maintain full-time and distinct hate crime units and work closely with the OPP and other police and government agencies such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Canada Customs and Citizenship
and Immigration.
"Ontario is a great province because of our diversity," said Kwinter.
"Fighting hate underlines our commitment to tolerance and equality – the building blocks of strong and prosperous communities."
