The AHCC was established in 2001 as a response to increased instances of hate that have been seen in society. As a collaboration of community, law enforcement, justice and human rights institutions, the AHCC seeks to bring comprehensive insight to issues of incidents and crime motivated by hate. 

We work to foster an environment where all Albertans live in an inclusive, safe, caring and respectful hate-free community. 

Currently, no standard definition of hate crime exists for Canadian police, government, academia, non-government organizations, or the community. Identifying and defining hate crime is often varied, done unilaterally and occurs in isolation. The hate crime definition we advocate for is:

A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property, which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the suspect's hate, bias, or prejudice towards an identifiable group based on, real or perceived race, national or ethnic origin, language, color, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other similar factor. Examples include mischief, assault, uttering threats, criminal  harassment, arson, murder. 

Criminal Code of Canada: Relevant Sections

• Section 318; Advocating Genocide

• Section 319 (1) Public Incitement of Hatred

• Section 319 (2) Willful Promotion of Hatred

• Section 319 (2.1) Wilful Promotion of antisemitism

• Section 320 Seizure of Materials Containing Hate Propaganda

• Section 430 (4.1), Mischief to Religious Property, Educational Institutions, Etc. 

• Section 718.2 (a)(i); Sentencing