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As a Community Protector, you have the power to help create a safer, more inclusive Muskoka. No formal training or meetings required, just a commitment to stand up, speak out, and support those who need it. Use the hashtag #HateFreeMuskoka to respond with positivity. By consistently sharing respectful messages, we can flood hateful comment sections and show that Muskoka takes a stand for kindness, inclusion, and respect.
Take Action, Show Your Support
- Join upcoming events and initiatives to connect with others who share your commitment to building a hate-free Muskoka
- Use the #HateFreeMuskoka hashtag on social media to share positive messages
- Sport our #HateFreeMuskoka swag! We'll be giving away items while at events and festivals, wear them with pride!
- Sign up for our IDEA Newsletter to stay updated and get involved!
- Be a "Community Protector" - learn more below.
- Download and print the Everyone Belongs Here poster, then post it in a public place so others can learn how to report incidents of hate and help build a #hatefreemuskoka.
| What is a Community Protector? |
A Community Protector is someone who stands up against hate, bias, and discrimination in their community. They take action by speaking out, offering support to those affected, and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion. Being a Community Protector means helping ensure everyone feels safe, valued, and welcome in Muskoka. A Community Protector means you support a #HateFreeMuskoka.
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| Bystander Intervention - Key Strategies |
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What is Bystander Intervention? Bystander intervention is about standing up for what’s right when you see something hurtful or hateful happening. It means taking simple, safe actions to show support, stop harmful behaviour, and help make Muskoka a better place. Whether you speak up, offer assistance, learn more and educate yourself, or report the incident, every small step makes a difference. Bystander intervention is the practice of taking action when you witness harmful or hateful behaviour, whether it’s online, at work, or in the community. It’s about making sure that no one feels alone or unsupported in the face of discrimination or harassment. Even small, thoughtful actions can have a big impact in promoting respect, inclusion, and safety. The 5Ds are different methods – Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct – that you can use to support someone who’s being harassed, emphasize that harassment is not okay, and demonstrate to people in your life that they have the power to make their community safer. Anyone can use the 5Ds! They are designed to be safe and not to escalate situations. In fact, four of them are indirect methods of intervention. Sign up for our IDEA Newsletter to stay updated and learn more. Visit Right to Be for more information, resources and downloads. |
Definitions
| Hate Incident |
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Hate incidents involve hateful behaviours which may or may not be prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code, that are not covered by the Criminal Code of Canada but are motivated by bias against a victim's race, religion, ethnic/national origin, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation, and that are not criminal acts. A hate incident means any act or omission, whether criminal or not, that expresses bias, prejudice, bigotry, or contempt toward a vulnerable or disadvantaged community or its members. A vulnerable or disadvantaged community is any group or community identified as such on the basis of characteristics protected by the Criminal Code of Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Section 15(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. |
| Hate Crime |
| For the purposes of this protocol, a hate crime involves communicating statements, other than in private conversation, which willfully incites or promotes hatred against any identifiable group based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor, or willfully promotes antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust. In addition, the Criminal Code of Canada (the Criminal Code) provides for enhanced sentencing powers when a crime is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate. |
Need Support? 211 - Free and Confidential
If you or someone you know has experienced hate, discrimination, or harassment, 211 Ontario is here to help.
This free, confidential service (online at Ontario211.ca or call 211 on your phone) connects you with local resources, including mental health support, legal assistance, victim services, crisis intervention, and community programs.
Whether you need guidance on reporting an incident, access to counselling, or help finding safe spaces and advocacy groups, 211 can connect you with the right support in Muskoka and beyond. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
For all other support, dial 211 or visit Ontario211.ca to find local services. You are not alone, help is available.
211 is a free and confidential service that easily connects people to the support they need. Visit www.ontario211.ca or dial 211 to access local services and partners right here in Muskoka.
Educational resources and statistics - Government of Canada
Canada's Action Plan on Combatting Hate is the Government of Canada’s first-ever action plan on confronting hate. The Plan brings together a whole-of-government approach to confronting hate by empowering communities, increasing research and data gathering, and building partnerships, to create a Canada that is free of all forms of hate. Visit the Government of Canada's combatting hate website for resources, downloads and statistics.