Montreal police initially said they could do nothing because the man had not issued any threats.
Montreal police say they are investigating a hate incident after a video of racist abuse was shared on social media.
La Salle resident Nadisha her Hossein and her husband Pramit Her Patel were harassed last week by an angry French-speaking man. Conflict.
The incident began last week when Hossein backed his car out of the driveway and allowed a man to pass by.
An argument ensued, andthe man shouted at the couple,who said they lived in Quebec and had to learn French.
The couple say they are bilingual and Patel graduated from high school in France. They were both born in Montreal and are of Indian descent.
After Hossein complained to the police, officers said nothing could be done because the man had not made any threats that could be considered a hate crime.
However, in an email to the Montreal Gazette on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Montreal Police Department said the case had been forwarded to a special unit investigating hate crimes and incidents .
Since its formation in 2016, the unit's officers have regularly met with members of Montreal's minority groups to inform them of what constitutes a hate crime or incident, a police spokesperson said. said Caroline Labelle.
Examples of hate crimes include attacking someone because of the color of their skin. Threatening someone for their religious beliefs or vandalizing a home or place of worship with anti-religious graffiti.Hate crime is a criminal act.
Hate incidents may distribute offensive material targeted at specific ethnic groups. Insulting someone about their sexual orientation or taking aggressive action against someone because of their religion.
Any victim of a hate crime or hate incident should report it to the police, Mr Lovell said.
Hate crimes can be reported by calling 911 or calling the nearest police station for help.
Hate incidents can be reported by completing a form on the Police Department's website or by visiting a police station.
kwilton@postmedia.com
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