Madu will be joined by several police reps, including Calgary Police Chief Neufeld.pic.twitter.com/jaHKLcgg8G
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Madu will be joined by several police reps, including Calgary Police Chief Neufeld.pic.twitter.com/jaHKLcgg8G
It is beginning, starting with Minister of Culture Leela Sharon Aheer. Says she is "beyond happy" about this, gushing about working alongside Minister Madu to make the province safer. Says this was motivated by the death of George Floyd.
Aheer says they are taking real steps to achieve change, so that all Albertans can feel safe and respected in their communities while also showing appreciation to police officers.
She says we need to address issues with racism right now, to ensure success for all people. Adds Madu has placed a very high priority on this file.
Madu now steps up. Says when he was named Minister of Justice, he wanted to improve relationships between police and minority communities.
Says they need the rule of law needs to exist, and also people need to trust the police. Calls this a historic announcement. Mentions how they already committed to review the outdated Police Act.
But he wants to be clear, "Alberta's government does not believe the answer we are looking for comes from defunding the police."
Madu says people demanding resources be taken away are forgetting that it would affect safety. Says they are pandering to far-left ideology put forward by radical activists. Wants to tackle root causes of crime, like mental health and addictions.
Mentioning a bit about investing in mental health and addictions (still nothing yet on what today's actual announcement is about.)
Says police have his absolute support. But he also promised to listen to legitimate concerns, such as around carding and street checks.
He says these practices are useful in theory, but can be exploited in practice by focusing on targeting racialized communities. Agrees this can create distrust.
"We cannot allow this to continue." Madu announces that the Alberta Government is banning carding immediately. Creating new rules on street checks as well.
Says he wants to find real solutions, not "virtue signalling." Clarifying the different between carding and street checks as well. Edmonton already has anti-carding policies in place. He says it is an inappropriate use of police power.
So, here's an important point to make now. Edmonton police already don't allow carding. Calgary police do not use carding. They use street checks though.
The new rules are that police services have to report street check data four times a year. Takes effect immediately. Madu says this is "real and meaningful action"
We will now hear from Cllr. Samuel Crowfoot with the Siksika First Nation. He appreciates the significance of this announcement, wonders why it took so long to get here and is long overdue.
Crowfoot wonders if he is supposed to express gratitude for police to stop violating peoples' rights. He says this comes five years after the TRC recommendations, decades after the release of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Is this reconciliation taking form? "I hope so," he says. He wants them to back up the words with actions, though. "Show us that this isn't just a PR stunt."
Crowfoot says he is sick of hearing that systemic racism doesn't exist. Sick of seeing grandfathers being tackled by police. He wonders what is the real motivation behind this, hopes it is real and long-lasting.
A representative with the African council now speaking. Agrees this is a long time coming. It's a bold first step, but there are still many more issues that need to be addressed.
And now a representative with the Pakistani Association. (Sorry I can't exactly catch the names on the phone.) He says carding undermines the liberty of citizens, worsens trust, shakes faith in the justice system.
Now up is Chief Dale McFee with EPS, and President of Alberta Chiefs of Police. McFee says the Alberta government is supporting practical solutions. Adds they recognize systemic racism issues and are making moves to remedy the problem.
On street checks, McFee says they are actually part of a larger ecosystem of trust if they are conducted properly. He says the interactions are usually positive, and they fully support positions on this announcement.
McFee does still have some concerns though, such as ensuring there's some strong messaging going to the community as well. Will be working more in the coming weeks for practical applications of the rules.
Now CPS Chief Neufeld speaking. Says they have had conversations about this for about four years now. Want to maintain efforts for crime prevention, but there are many legitimate concerns about how street checks can be done.
Neufeld says they do about one street check an hour, usually tied to dispatch calls and tied to active investigations. He adds local policies are largely already in alignment with these proposals today.
Now, Tsuut'ina Chief Keith Blake is speaking. He says the guidelines reinforce their policies that also show respect for citizens. It is critical for there to be a uniform, unbiased, practice for policing around the province. Believes it strikes a good balance.
U of A Professor Temitope Oriola speaking. Says this is indeed a good afternoon. A ban on carding is a significant down payment on ensuring a fair and equitable justice system in Alberta.
He says governments need to be ready to acknowledge when something isn't going right, and gives credit to the UCP for recognizing a mistake here.
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