Alberta's funding to deter hate crimes 'should just be the beginning': Muslim group
Alberta's premier says groups that experience hate crimes will soon be able to apply for grants to pay for security upgrades but one Muslim organization says more is needed to address racism in the province.
Yasin Cetin, a spokesman for the Muslim Association of Canada in Alberta, says Jason Kenney's government needs to commit more resources to address hate instead of putting aside funding “that is a small drop in the bucket compared to what's needed.”
“Security grants are one piece of that puzzle and we welcome that,” said Cetin, a community outreach and engagement adviser for the association.
“But this should just be the beginning of the work to dismantle white supremacy, racism and Islamophobia. There needs to be more done to address the root cause of these feelings. It's more a matter of taking an anti-racist lens and inclusive lens to addressing different policy pieces.”
Kenney announced Friday that the $10,000 grants could save the lives of people who are targets of hatred because of who they are or how they worship. The money could cover everything from security cameras to protection planning, training and education. The province is spending $500,000 on the program.
It's one of the initiatives announced by Alberta following hate-related encounters in the province against Black-Muslim women and other racialized groups, and comes after the deaths of four members of a Muslim family in London, Ont.
The province is also creating a community liaison to meet with groups facing hate-motivated crimes and plans to set up a hate crimes co-ordination unit to better focus and direct law enforcement.
Kenney called on Albertans to reach out to their Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends to challenge hateful sentiments and white supremacy.
“The single most powerful weapon against hatred is simply relationships,” he said.
Cetin said it was frustrating to hear the premier comment about spreading love to tackle white supremacy. He said the effects of colonialism are driving hate crimes in Alberta.
He noted the grant money couldn't have helped the 10 reported verbal and/or physical attacks against Black-Muslim women in Alberta in the span of a few months.
“How is that going to support a young Black woman wearing the hijab (while) riding the LRT or leaving the bus station?” he asked. “There needs to be tangible pieces of legislation.”
Cetin also pointed to the government's draft public school curriculum that teachers have criticized as whitewashing colonial history. He said the curriculum is another example of how the government has not done enough to challenge racism.
“Yes, get to know our neighbours, but an education system should recognize the contributions and the history of Canadians of all stripes and backgrounds, including the Muslim community, including the Indigenous community,” he said.
“How many more times do these attacks need to happen? How many more victims do we need to have? How many more people need to die, need to be victimized before governments take action?
“We've had enough of the thoughts and prayers.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.