Montreal Council Agrees To Add Hate Crimes, Antisemitism And Islamophobia To New DEI Policy

MONTREAL — Montreal City Council has voted to revise the citywide Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and anti-racism policy to explicitly include hate crimes, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, city and community sources said.

The change followed pressure from five community groups that had criticized the original policy for omitting those terms. The groups included the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations, the Black Community Resource Centre, the Chinese Association of Montreal, the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, Montreal chapter, and the Filipino Family Service.

City officials said the amendment was intended to clarify the policy language so municipal services can better address and report on hate-motivated incidents. The city noted that municipal services already include work against antisemitism and Islamophobia in awareness and prevention efforts.

Fo Niemi, executive director of CRARR, said leaving out hate crimes and the specific forms of religious discrimination would have been a serious omission. He said the inclusion is necessary given the rising hate incidents across the city and the region.

Sonny Moroz, an opposition councillor, tabled a motion to add the specific language. He said the amendments were straightforward and aimed at ensuring the policy reflects the lived experience of vulnerable communities. Moroz is a member of the city commission on social development and diversity.

Advocates noted that Montreal recorded hundreds of hate reports in recent years, with increases in incidents targeting Jewish and Arab Muslim communities following the October 7, 2023, attacks and the subsequent period. Community leaders said the explicit wording will help prioritize prevention and support.

The council decision follows the executive committee’s adoption of the EDI policy in August. The policy establishes a citywide framework for culture change, safer public services, and equitable resource distribution. The amendment does not replace borough-level efforts to adopt accepted definitions, such as the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.

Community groups are now seeking stronger implementation measures and a seat at the table with the city’s anti-racism office to ensure the policy leads to concrete action, including tracking of hate incidents and targeted prevention programs.

This article is based on verified information from CityNews Montreal, The Suburban via QCNA, the City of Montreal press release on the EDI policy, Frequency News coverage, and statements from the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations.