Former co-chair of Alberta’s anti-racism council calls on government to release recommendations

Postmedia has obtained draft recommendations listed in the agenda and minutes of a November meeting attended by Aheer, government staff, expert presenters and the council.

They include supporting a provincial policing hate crime unit to help investigate and prosecute hate crimes, and requiring police officers in Alberta take anti-racist training.

An anti-racism and inclusive curriculum working group to hold schools and school boards accountable, and an Office of Racial Equity to guide efforts across government departments, are also among the draft proposals.

The minutes show concern from council that Alberta’s Multiculturalism, Indigenous and Inclusion Grant — formerly the Anti-Racism Community Grant — makes no clear commitment to anti-racism, instead focusing on “celebration of heritage.”

Chaudhry said that while multiculturalism makes our country and community rich, focusing on the “dinner and the dance” can risk downplaying the racial discrimination that anti-racism tries to address.

“We have aspects of discrimination and racial discrimination that we can’t just sweep under the rug and pretend doesn’t happen, and just focus on the good stuff,” said Chaudhry, adding that’s why it’s important that the provincial government clearly address the problem in targeted ways.