Alberta NDP pledges to combat Islamophobia; UCP committed to fight racism
Posted May 21, 2023 12:55 pm.
Promoting diversity and combatting racism are on the agenda for Alberta’s two main parties.
The NDP made recent pledges to combat Islamophobia, while the UCP promised grants to educate Albertans about multiculturalism.
Irfan Sabir, the Alberta NDP candidate for Calgary-Bhullar McCall, says the party would introduce an anti-racism act.
“We have heard from Alberta Muslim communities and put forward a concrete action plan to combat Islamophobia and rising racism in our province,” said Sabir.
“An Alberta NDP government will introduce the Anti-Racism Act and establish an Anti-Racism Office as part of our Anti-Racism Strategy, within the first year.”
In a statement, the NDP says their plan includes giving racialized communities the opportunity to lead the collection of data and monitoring racial disparities under the mandate of the Anti-Racism Office.
“In the past four years under the UCP, the hate-motivated incidents and crimes have increased exponentially and it is getting worse,” said Jasvir Deol, the Alberta NDP multiculturalism critic and candidate for Edmonton-Meadows.
“The UCP has repeatedly hired and sheltered racists, extremists and individuals with hateful views. Premier Danielle Smith has yet to apologize for stating Albertans that didn’t get vaccinated were the group most discriminated against in Alberta.”
The NDP is pledging to create, fund, and implement a dedicated Alberta Hate Crimes Unit to reduce hate crimes. Their pledge includes providing “$39 million over three years towards Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Support.”
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The party also adds to its agenda equal funding for schools including public, Catholic, charter, Francophone, Islamic, and independent.
“Every Albertan has a right to feel safe in their community,” said Gurinder Gill, the NDP candidate for Calgary-Cross.
Sharif Haji, Alberta NDP candidate for Edmonton-Decore, noted serious action should be taken in the province to protect Muslim women.
“Muslims are integral to Alberta’s multicultural fabric,” said Haji.
“Various Muslim organizations have been advocating and demanding from all levels of governments to provide requisite funding and resources for combating Islamophobia.
“Alberta NDP’s Anti-Racism Strategy, is a bold and the right step towards filling the gaps, eradicating social injustices, and ending systemic barriers.”
Meanwhile, on its platform, the UCP says it’s committed to fighting racism and promises establishing a council on multiculturalism to provide a platform for Albertans that represent marginalized communities, making sure their voices are heard.
The party also “created the $1.5 million Multiculturalism Anti-Racism Grants (MARG) program to help promote cross cultural understanding to help build stronger and safer communities,” reads the platform.
The grants will help Albertans learn about diversity and its importance in building stronger communities.
