Alberta making up to $100K available for security upgrades at religious, cultural places
Alberta is taking steps to prevent hate-motivated crime and better investigate when such attacks happen, as well as enable targeted groups to protect themselves.
The justice minister and premier announced on Friday up to $500,000 was available in 2021 for faith-based groups and cultural facilities that have been targeted or are likely to to be.
The Alberta Security Infrastructure Program will make funds available through two streams: one, a grant up to $10,000 to complete a security assessment at a site and provide special training to staff, and, two, a grant up to $90,000 to purchase and install security equipment.
Although officials said eligibility details would be announced in coming weeks, they expect the money will help places like temples, churches or Indigenous friendship centres, for example, to buy window film, cameras, anti-graffiti sealant or alarms.
"All Albertans must be able to live in a province where it is safe to practice their faith, to exercise their freedom of religion. Albertans must feel safe to walk in their neighbourhood and not fear for their safety because of the colour of their skin," Premier Jason Kenney said during the announcement in front of Edmonton's Al Rashid Mosque.
All the speakers referenced the fatal attack on the Afzaal family in London, Ont., one week earlier.
"What you're doing today, honourable minister and premier, is an act of love. We heard the words, we've had the sentiments, we've had the hugs, but now there's action," Aumer Assaf said, calling security necessary.
"So as we work towards the dream you speak about, that we speak about, we don't live in that dream. We aspire to that, but we live in reality, and the reality is the Muslim community is under attack. It's not just the violence. It's the smears, it's the looks. Our women in their hijabs are visibly targeted and it's the small things that add up, that turn into a catastrophe."
SPECIAL HATE CRIMES UNIT CREATED
The funding for security equipment was one of a few anti-racism measures taken by Alberta in recent days.
A new community liaison is to provide the provincial government with a range of perspectives and expertise by connecting it with ethnic, religious and sexual minority groups most targeted.
And a specially tasked unit will work with law enforcement on hate crime investigations, and improving hate crime mitigation efforts and training.
Both are in the early stages of development and were announced by the government on Thursday as a "fresh approach" to working with affected communities.
"My goal as justice minister is to ensure that we prevent them before they occur, but when they do occur, I promise you that they will be thoroughly investigated. I will bring the perpetuators to justice," Minister Kaycee Madu vowed on Friday.
The initiatives were among 48 recommendations made by the Alberta Anti-Racism Council. In a report released Friday, the AARC also recommended reforms in the justice system, inclusive and anti-racism policies in the labour sector, and decolonizing education, among others. It advised establishing an ombudsperson to investigate all policing complaints, and working with the federal government to make hate crimes legislation more effective.
Right now, Madu said the investigative component of Alberta's hate crimes unit was the best way to ensure charges are prosecuted.
But all stressed the significance of digging to the root of racism in Canada.
"It has to be a matter of the heart to defeat this kind of hatred," Kenney said. "I can only imagine that this twisted individual responsible allegedly for this gross hate crime in London never developed a normal, personable friendly relationship with a Canadian Muslim."
He encouraged Albertans to reach out their neighbours and check in.
Al Rashid Mosque, dedicated in 1938, was Canada's first mosque.
A prayer for the London victims was to be hosted there at 2 p.m. MST.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.