City releases 'Safer For All' plan to address racism, discrimination
The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service have released a joint plan to address racism and hate crimes.
The plan identifies nearly 70 actions aimed at building a safer city for all Edmontonians.
Some of those include increasing training on bias, anti-racism and trauma, as well as the addition of in-car video cameras to police vehicles.
The city’s work plan was sparked by conversations with Edmonton’s Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force, a task force created in the summer of 2020 following public hearings where Edmontnians shared their experience with racism and policing in the city.
“What we have heard from last summer’s public hearings and the community’s safety and wellbeing task force, is that some Edmontonians are in pain,” said Andre Corbould, Edmonton’s city manager.
Along with EPS and Edmonton Police Commission, the city is partnering with the Anti-racism Advisory Committee, and EndPovertyEdmonton to strengthen community safety.
Edmonton has already launched a new anti-racism grant program with $300,000 in funding to support youth and non-profit organizations for anti-racism projects and events.
The city has also launched an Indigenous framework that Corbould says will guide city staff “on their journey of reconciliation and relationship building with Indigenous peoples.”
EPS Chief Dale McFee said the action items listed within the city’s joint plan aim to change the way officers respond to calls by using a collaboration of mental health experts and community partners.
While the city’s work plan to combat racism and hate crimes has been well underway, several instances of assaults targeting Edmonton’s Muslim community influenced action by the city and police.
Noor Al-Henedy, director of communications and public health relations with the Al Rashid Mosque, said she welcomes the plan and is looking forward to seeing more results on the ground.
“Racism is spreading like there’s no tomorrow where people are getting assaulted. We saw in Ontario, we lost four family members to hate and violence,” said Al-Henedy. “So it is no longer a conversation of ‘oh let’s try and do better. We have to do better, we have to take this seriously.”
The city says that ultimately Edmontonians will be the judges of the report. A public dashboard will be developed so the public can see how the report’s actions are implemented.
The plan will be presented to the community and city council on June 30.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Pastrnak scores winner, Bruins down Leafs 2-1 in overtime in Game 7
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.