Pepper spray for self-defence proposal criticized by Alberta police chiefs
Alberta police chiefs are against the Alberta justice minister's proposal to allow pepper spray for self-defence.
The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) said in a joint statement that while they agree action needs to be taken in order to properly address hate crimes, allowing individuals to carry pepper spray could lead to “unintended consequences.”
Kaycee Madu, Alberta’s justice minister, penned a letter to two federal government ministers to stop hate crimes from happening. In it, he made two proposals, including amending the Criminal Code so people could carry and use pepper spray in self-defence.
“I suggest consideration be given to allowing individuals, including vulnerable persons, to carry capsaicin spray, commonly known as 'pepper spray,' for self-defence,” Madu said in the letter.
The letter was sent to David Lametti, federal justice minister and attorney general, and Bill Blair, public safety and emergency preparedness minister.
“Pepper spray would again be helpful in allowing personal defence when absolutely needed.”
Madu tweeted the full letter on Wednesday, saying “Albertans need to be able to defend themselves.”
Pepper spray is prohibited under the Criminal Code, along with any device designed to injure, immobilize, or incapacitate, like tear gas, mace, or other liquid sprays.
“It is sadly ironic that a vulnerable person carrying pepper spray for self-defence could quite possible receive a longer sentence than her attacker,” Madu said.
The AACP said it “wholeheartedly” supports a “tough stance” on hate crimes but was not sure allowing pepper spray was the correct solution.
“This includes the potential risk that an increase in individuals carrying pepper spray could also lead to an increase in use for criminal purposes, as well as the potential for it to be used in crimes against the vulnerable members of the community that this proposal is intended to protect,” the police chiefs association said.
Chief Dale McFee, EPS police chief, said at Thursday’s Edmonton Police Commission meeting that he would like to see more details about the minister’s proposal and how pepper spray distribution would be controlled.
“Certainly there’s some concerns around safety and distribution and I’m not sure if that’s been talked about at this point in time,” McFee said. “Basically, how distribution will be controlled and preventions of keeping spray from getting into the wrong hands are obviously going to be of concern.”
MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR HATE CRIMES PROPOSED
The second suggestion proposed by Madu in the letter was creating mandatory minimum sentences for hate-motivated crimes.
“Hate-motivated crimes deserve special consideration under legislation due to the pervasive effect they have on faith and minority communities,” Madu said.
“Albertans need to know that when justice is brought upon those found responsible for a hate-motivated crime, perpetrators will be truly punished without the leniency that has been seen of late.”
For Madu, the two suggested options would “have a deterrent effect” on hate crimes and send a “strong message” that such attacks are “inexcusable in Canada.”
The AACP said hate crimes are “absolutely intolerable.” The association said it would reach out to Madu to get further “clarification” about his proposed solutions.
“We would like to find out more about the proposals and explore the benefits as well as any possible unintended consequences,” the association added. “We appreciate his strong resolve aimed at protecting individuals and communities impacted by these deplorable acts.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.