New Glasgow man, 22, charged after police respond to online hate speech

New Glasgow Regional Police have charged a local man for online hate speech targeting Jewish communities.

The three charges against the man include a charge of advocating and promoting genocide.

A spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service said Sunday it is an extremely rare charge and may be the first time it has been laid in the province.

"It has been laid in other jurisdictions that we're aware of, but it is still quite a rare charge to be laid, and that is particularly due to the fact that it requires the attorney general's consent before it's laid," said Melissa Noonan, senior director of strategic communications.

According to a news release, police responded on Thursday to a report of hateful messages posted from a residence in the town.

A 22-year-old New Glasgow, N.S., man was arrested the following afternoon. Police also conducted a search and seized electronic items.

Noonan said in determining to lay charges relating to genocide, the director of public prosecutions determines if the statements made went beyond hate speech and met the legal definition of advocating genocide.

"They would also look at whether it was directed at an identifiable group as defined by the Criminal Code," she said. "As well, it would need to be made in a public context with the potential to incite or normalize extreme violence."

Noonan said it is important to note that advocating genocide is not protected speech.

"It is considered a criminal act that threatens the safety and dignity of our communities," she said.

According to the Criminal Code of Canada, anyone found guilty of advocating or promoting genocide is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years.

The man is also facing charges of public incitement of hatred and wilful promotion of hatred.

He has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Pictou provincial court on Monday.