Manitoba is taking a significant step to address hate crimes by appointing a dedicated Crown attorney to lead prosecutions and enhance efforts against hate-motivated offenses, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced Wednesday.
The newly designated prosecutor will coordinate the work of a specialized provincial working group tasked with providing guidance on the complex legal challenges of prosecuting hate crimes. The government will also introduce additional training for Crown attorneys to equip them with the tools to hold offenders accountable effectively.
“This will just expand the toolbox in terms of the skills that they have … to fully prosecute these hate crimes,” said Wiebe. “We want communities that have felt the hurt and pain from these kinds of crimes to see that we’re taking clear action.”
Manitoba plans to apply for federal funding to support the new training initiatives.
Between 2017 and 2022, Winnipeg recorded 178 police-reported hate-motivated crimes, according to provincial data. In 2023, a Winnipeg Police Service report noted a recent historic high of 46 reported hate crimes.
This announcement follows a recent incident in Winnipeg where police charged a 19-year-old with 26 counts of mischief in connection with antisemitic graffiti found throughout a neighborhood. However, the acts did not meet the Criminal Code’s criteria for hate crimes, which specifically require targeting religious or cultural buildings.
The provincial initiative aims to address the legal and emotional challenges associated with hate crimes, ensuring victims and communities feel supported. Wiebe emphasized that the government’s commitment is not only legal but also symbolic, sending a clear message that hate will not be tolerated in Manitoba.