Read full Diversity Online here https://mailchi.mp/diversitymag/what-is-the-alberta-government-doing-to-tackle-systemic-racism
Should you missed Diversity Magazine Flash for June 18th, 2020 please watch and Share
The Alberta NDP says the Alberta UCP does not want to speak directly to marginalized communities about what needs to be done to address systemic racism by voting against its bill in the Alberta Legislature. We reached out to Alberta Justice twice, but they did not respond. We have gathered that the Alberta Government is looking at updating the Police Act which regulates police action, certainly of interest to anyone calling for police reforms.
Alberta Government itself sadly does not reflect the diversity of the population it serves with close to 0% of senior management staff from the minority half of the province with about 20% visible minorities and growing. There have been condemnation of the George Floyd Murder from Premier Kenney but with no clear leadership on the way forward, even voting against the only bill put forward by the NDP who have championed this issue.
“Tens of thousands of Albertans have said they want the government to take action to address systemic racism. We wanted the government to take real action – they refused. It’s not enough to condemn racism. We must do better,” Alberta NDP Opposition Leader, Rachel Notley, lashed out on her Facebook page yesterday.
The Globe and Mail reported that the Alberta police investigation agency, Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), that investigates serious incidents involving police in Alberta says it is unclear what would be gained if it tracked data on the race of people killed or injured by officers, arguing such statistics would do nothing to address systemic racism.
This shows ASIRT is fiercely resisting change unlike police watchdogs in Ontario and British Columbia going with the change and starting to collect race data. ASIRT was formed and is funded by the Alberta Government.
The question for the week is what do you want to see Alberta Government do to tackle systemic racism in Alberta?
The cities of Edmonton and Calgary have draft motions already going to vote, the provincial government yet to play, while the federal government is working on their own legislation. We will be bringing you updates on this very important issue for your lovely children and your wonderful generations to come.
Have a very good weekend and stay turned to Diversity Magazine updates on all platforms; daily Diversity Flash with a video summary at the end of each day on Diversity TV on Facebook and YouTube, and www.diversitymag.ca as we sail through another bright and sunny day in Edmonton and Calgary. Enjoy!
