Five Additional Individuals Charged in Hate-Motivated Investigation Involving Antisemitic Signage

The Toronto Police Service has charged five additional individuals with Public Incitement of Hatred and Wilful Promotion of Hatred following an ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred on March 15 in the area of Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West.

The investigation was launched after several individuals allegedly displayed antisemitic signage in a public space. On April 2, one individual was arrested and charged with Public Incitement of Hatred in connection with the investigation.

At a news conference held at Toronto Police Headquarters on June 1, Chief Myron Demkiw provided an update on the investigation and announced the arrest of five additional individuals.

“At the time, we also announced that a number of search warrants had been carried out at multiple locations and that phones and laptops had been seized,” he said. “The investigation continued over the past weeks and yesterday in the early morning, police carried out additional search warrants and arrested five more individuals.”

Demkiw noted that Wilful Promotion of Hatred is a serious and rarely used Criminal Code offence that requires the consent of the Attorney General due to its complexity.

“To give you some context, since October 7, 2023, we have laid 30 hate propaganda charges, including 11 Wilful Promotion of Hatred charges with the consent of the Attorney General,” he said. “And these cases involved a total of 20 different accused. In the 10-plus year period from 2010 to 2023, we had only laid six propaganda charges, including four charges of Wilful Promotion of Hatred. These cases involved a total of five accused.”

The Chief said the charges demonstrate the Service’s commitment to holding those responsible for hate crimes accountable.

“We will continue to be relentless in following the evidence to hold those who commit criminal acts of hate accountable,” he said. “Today is an example of what we mean when we say that arrests and charges can come at any time after an incident. Hate has real impacts. Antisemitic behaviour creates fear, anxiety and division in our communities. Through the tireless work of our Counter Terrorism and Security Unit, we investigate thoroughly, gather evidence carefully and pursue charges where there are reasonable grounds and legal authority to do so.”

Since October 7, 2023, Toronto Police have made 536 arrests and laid 1,309 charges related to demonstrations, protests and hate-motivated offences.

Demkiw also acknowledged the efforts of investigators and partner agencies involved in the case.

“I want to acknowledge the work of our investigators, who executed multiple search warrants in Toronto and Durham Region, viewed hours of footage, examined evidence, and worked with the office of the Attorney General,” he added. “I also want to thank everyone who worked on this at the office of the Attorney General for their important collaboration. We appreciate their commitment to support this investigation and the speed with which this investigation was considered by the ministry. We are committed to working with all of our partners to combat hate”

Demkiw said there will be continued police presence during protests, and around places of worship and community centres for as long as it takes.

“Toronto is a place where people from diverse backgrounds live together in harmony, and we will continue doing everything we can so that our communities are and feel safe,” he noted.