Mayor Elizabeth Roy is asking residents in Whitby, Ontario, to report all hate-motivated activity following a recent increase in vandalism, graffiti, and harassment across the area. In a message shared on February 13, 2026, the mayor noted that these acts often target residents based on their race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Recent regional data reveals that hate-motivated crimes and incidents in Durham Region increased by 77 per cent between 2023 and 2024. This trend follows several specific local events, including three separate instances where hateful graffiti was found at public libraries and an instance of anti-Muslim graffiti discovered on a bridge last year.
To address these concerns, a new Community-Based Hate Reporting Program was launched on January 29, 2026. This online tool allows residents to report incidents anonymously and is designed to capture information that people might not otherwise share with law enforcement, such as verbal harassment or hateful signage.
The Town of Whitby is also coordinating with Victim Services of Durham Region to host a series of awareness workshops in March 2026. These sessions will provide tools for residents to identify hateful activity and learn how to safely intervene to support their neighbours.
While the new online portal handles non-criminal incidents, the mayor still encourages anyone who witnesses a crime to contact the Durham Regional Police Service. These initiatives are part of a broader effort by the Together Against Hate Durham coalition, which brings together 39 community partners to improve safety and support for all residents.
