RCMP are recommending hate crime charges against three young men after an incident of alleged anti-Semitism in Ucluelet, on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Officers were called to the government docks in downtown Ucluelet on Friday afternoon, after receiving a report that a group of men were shouting racial slurs.
"They found three males in their mid 20s," Sgt. Jeff Swann said. "They had painted swastikas and some racial slurs on their bodies and on their clothing."
Officers say the men were drunkenly ridiculing pedestrians with racist comments, causing a "breach of the peace."
"In 13 years of policing I've seen plenty of stupid things, but never anything quite like this," Swann said. "There were families around."
The men are not affiliated with any hate group, Swann said.
The three were arrested and police are recommending the Crown charge them with public incitement of hatred and causing a disturbance.
With files from The Canadian Press
