'No repercussions': Community members blast lack of charges in connection to hate-motivated posters
Some community members are raising concerns after no charges were laid in connection to racial and hate-motivated posters that were distributed around Waterloo Region in recent weeks.
The posters promoted White Lives Matter and sparked an anti-racism rally in May in Wilmot Township.
The signs circulating around Wellesley Township, Wilmot Township and Kitchener and left some on edge.
“It obviously made me feel a little bit less safe in my hometown,” said Nigel Gordijk, a New Hamburg resident.
Wellesley Township’s Mayor, Joe Nowak, said he was shocked when he saw the signs on his community mailbox.
“Disappointed that this has come to this community,” Nowak said.
According to Waterloo regional police, following an investigation, they identified the subject responsible for the posters.
After consulting with the Crown’s Office, police determined there was no reasonable prospect of conviction in the court process and no criminal charges will be laid.
“After concluding our investigation, we consulted the Crown Attorney on whether any of the Hate Crime sections of the Criminal Code or any other criminal offence could be applied in this investigation. After that consultation, it was confirmed that there was no basis for a criminal charge in this matter," Waterloo regional police said in a statement.
“I’m disappointed for sure but I can understand,” Nowak said in response to the fact that no charges would be laid.
“It doesn't seem like the literature or the communication rose to the criminal standards,” said Kitchener criminal lawyer Lakin Afolabi.
Afolabi said it comes down to freedom of expression, a Canadian right.
“There are a lot of things that people say that are offensive, distasteful, even morally wrong. And we have rights to say those things. You may not be included in polite society if you say those things but it’s certainly not criminal,” Afolabi said.
Some raised concerns via social media and believe more should have been done.
“He hasn’t been charged. And there will be no repercussions for him means that he could just continue to do what he’s doing which is cause fear in the community and making people who aren’t white feel less welcome here,” Gordijk said.
Police acknowledge the harm and concern the posters caused in the community and denounce all forms of hate and racism.
“Doesn’t represent the community as a whole and they are not wanted out here. They’re not welcome out here,” said Nowak.
Community members hope the hate-motivated signs stay out of their neighbourhoods.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.