Suspect in B.C. hate crimes arrested in Ontario, RCMP say

A 41-year-old man wanted in connection with a hate crime investigation in B.C.‘s Okanagan has been arrested in Ontario, authorities announced Thursday.

Members of the Ontario Provincial Police arrested Gregory Joseph Bayliss in the community of Kenora, located near the Manitoba border, on Wednesday.

The Kelowna, B.C., resident has been charged with public incitement of hatred, promoting hatred, uttering threats, and advocating or promoting genocide, the RCMP said.

Few other details have been shared with the public, except that the investigation began last June in the Kelowna area.

“Provided the seriousness of these offences and their inevitable public exposure, it is imperative that we maintain the integrity of this investigation and safekeep any upcoming judicial proceedings,” said Cpl. Michael Gauthier of the Kelowna RCMP, in a statement.

“With that in mind, we will not be disclosing any further details of these offences at this time. We thank our policing partners in Ontario for their assistance with this arrest.”

The RCMP will be working with law enforcement counterparts in Ontario, as well as the B.C. Prosecution Service and B.C. Sheriff Service, to bring Bayliss back to the province to attend court in Kelowna, authorities said.