Report Hate Crimes in Laval - Police, Bylaws & Support

Civil Rights and Equity Quebec 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Quebec

In Laval, Quebec, reporting a hate-motivated incident begins with contacting local police or municipal enforcement and may include a civil complaint to the provincial human rights commission. Police handle criminal offences under the Criminal Code, while civil discrimination complaints are handled by provincial authorities; consult the Help and Support / Resources list below for official contacts and forms.

If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Penalties & Enforcement

Hate-motivated acts that meet Criminal Code definitions are investigated and prosecuted by police and federal prosecutors; municipal bylaws do not typically set criminal hate-crime fines. Specific fine amounts or daily monetary penalties for hate crimes are not specified on the municipal pages listed in Resources below. Enforcement and investigation are led by the Service de police de Laval for incidents in Laval, with parallel civil complaint routes at the provincial commission for discrimination.

  • Enforcer: Service de police de Laval for criminal investigations; provincial human rights body for civil complaints.
  • Court process: criminal charges proceed through Quebec courts; appeals follow normal criminal appeal routes.
  • Monetary penalties: not specified on the cited municipal pages; Criminal Code penalties apply where charged.
  • Complaint pathway: report to police, obtain occurrence number, request victim services and follow-up.
Municipal pages often note reporting routes but do not list Criminal Code sentencing amounts.

Applications & Forms

There is no dedicated municipal form to initiate a criminal investigation for a hate crime; incidents must be reported directly to the police by phone or in person. For civil discrimination complaints you may use the provincial commission's complaint procedure and forms listed in Resources.

  • Police report: no special municipal form; obtain an occurrence number from the responding police service.
  • Provincial complaint form: use the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse process for civil complaints (see Resources).

How to Report a Hate-Motivated Incident

  1. Call 9-1-1 if there is an immediate threat or violence.
  2. For non-urgent incidents, contact the Service de police de Laval by phone or visit a local station to file a report and obtain an occurrence number.
  3. Preserve evidence: photos, messages, witnesses, and timestamps.
  4. Contact victim services for support, safety planning, and referrals to counseling.
  5. Consider filing a civil complaint with the provincial human rights commission if the incident involves discrimination in services, housing, employment, or public accommodation.
Preserve evidence and get an occurrence number to support any criminal or civil follow-up.

Common Violations

  • Hate-motivated assault or threats (criminal offences)
  • Hate propaganda or public incitement (Criminal Code offences)
  • Discriminatory refusals or harassment in services or housing (provincial civil complaints)

FAQ

How do I report a hate crime in Laval?
Contact police to file a report and obtain an occurrence number; for civil discrimination complaints, contact the provincial human rights commission.
Will I face fines from the city?
Fines specific to criminal hate offences are set under federal law and are not listed on municipal pages; municipal fines are not the primary enforcement mechanism for criminal hate-motivated acts.
What support is available for victims?
Victim services through the police and provincial victim assistance programs offer counseling, safety planning, and referral to community supports.

How-To

  1. Identify immediacy: If danger is present, call 9-1-1.
  2. Gather and preserve evidence: save messages, photos, and witness contacts.
  3. Report to police: provide a clear account, evidence, and request an occurrence number.
  4. Request victim services: ask police for referrals to local support and counseling.
  5. File civil complaint if applicable: use the provincial commission process for discrimination in services or employment.

Key Takeaways

  • Report criminal incidents to Service de police de Laval immediately.
  • Preserve evidence and obtain an occurrence number for follow-up.
  • Use provincial human rights channels for civil discrimination complaints.

Help and Support / Resources

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