'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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.