Richmond RCMP recommend mischief charge after slurs hurled in Steveston café

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) – Richmond RCMP have recommended a charge of mischief, after an assault at a café in Steveston in March.

Witnesses say they heard a man use a racial slur toward someone at the café.

Cpl. Ian Henderson says the report has been turned over to the prosecution service who will have to determine whether the case will go ahead.

When providing details on the case, Henderson wanted to clarify what constitutes a hate crime.

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“It’s not a criminal offence to give derogatory names or terms or suggestions to people, and this is where people seem to be getting on this route of calling these things, a hate crime when that’s not quite correct,” Henderson said.

Referring to incidents like the one in Steveston as “hate instances,” Richmond RCMP believe they are different to an official hate crime highlighted under the Criminal Code.

Henderson continued, saying, “A judge or justice who is presiding over that, may look at whether or not hate was an aggravating factor when they give the sentence.”