Alberta passes motion to combat hate crimes across province
The killing of four members of the Afzaal family in London, Ont., on Sunday has prompted a call for action against hate crimes in Alberta.
After the NDP called for an emergency debate on Tuesday, Premier Jason Kenney introduced a motion to strengthen law enforcement and education to combat Islamophobia and bigotry in the province.
The premier called the attack in London a brutal act of Islamophobic terrorism.
“This stands as the most vile and lethal violent hate crime targeting Muslim Canadians in our history,” said Kenney.
Rod Loyola, MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie said Albertans have a lot of work to do. On Tuesday, he urged his colleagues to put aside ideological differences and called upon the government to do more to strengthen legislation on hate crimes.
“This is a direct attack on our women, our partners, the people that work with us day in and day out to make sure that - that we are a strong community. I am absolutely heartbroken,” said Loyola.
Loyola also called for more support when it comes to the victims of hate motivated crimes. He said Alberta needs a provincial hate crimes unit.
The motion introduced Tuesday will see Alberta’s anti-racism advisory council study hate crimes that target religious and ethnic minorities.
The premier says new legislation that works to the prevention and prosecution of hate crimes will be announced in the coming days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.