Foundation Collaborates with VPD on Their First Hate Crime Forum
On June 11, 2025, over 100 community members gathered at UBC Robson Square for the Vancouver Police Department Hate Crime Forum—an evening dedicated to education, awareness, and collaboration in the face of rising hate and discrimination. The forum brought together law enforcement, legal experts, and the public for a rare and open conversation on how hate-motivated incidents are identified, investigated, and prosecuted in Vancouver.
The Foundation for a Path Forward was honoured to support this vital initiative at every stage, working closely with VPD’s Diversity, Community, and Indigenous Relations Section (DCIRS) to ensure that the event reached and reflected the diversity of the communities it aimed to serve.
The forum featured keynote remarks by Deputy Chief Constable Howard Chow, as well as presentations from VPD hate crime investigators, Crown Counsel specializing in hate crime prosecution, members of the Major Crime Section, and representatives from Victim Services. Attendees were invited to learn not only the legal definition of hate crimes under Canadian law, but also how cyber hate is investigated, what supports are available for victims, and what proactive programs the VPD runs to prevent hate in the first place.
The atmosphere was both educational and deeply human. For many in attendance—including faith leaders, NGO staff, educators, and local residents—the forum provided a safe and welcoming space to ask questions, share concerns, and begin to build trust with police representatives. This wasn’t just about policy—it was about people.
The Foundation for a Path Forward played a key role in the forum’s success. As a trusted community partner, the Foundation helped drive strong attendance through targeted community outreach, digital promotion, and multi-faith mobilization. In the weeks leading up to the event, the Foundation activated its network across Vancouver, extending invitations to faith leaders, cultural organizations, and grassroots groups. Its outreach efforts helped ensure a rich tapestry of lived experience and cultural insight was present at the event.
Recognizing the importance of digital visibility, the Foundation also implemented a focused Meta (Facebook and Instagram) campaign to promote the forum, ensuring the event was seen by thousands across the region and generating meaningful community engagement.
Throughout the evening, many attendees expressed appreciation for the clarity and openness with which hate-related issues were addressed. Presenters walked the audience through complex questions—What qualifies as a hate crime versus a hate incident? How are digital threats pursued? What happens when someone reports?—in language that was accessible, practical, and deeply necessary.
From the opening remarks to the closing conversations, the tone of the event remained anchored in collaboration, education, and prevention. The Foundation was proud to support the VPD in creating a space where communities could engage directly with law enforcement—not in conflict, but in partnership.
As hate continues to evolve in both form and frequency, the Foundation for a Path Forward remains committed to standing alongside institutions like the VPD to ensure communities are not just protected, but empowered. Together, we can build a safer, more inclusive Vancouver—one rooted in justice, mutual respect, and collective resilience.