This report explores the incidence of hate crime in communities across Alberta and some of the definitional and data collection issues that impact our ability to understand the scope and nature of hate and bias crime and activity in our province. An overview of hate crime legislation is provided as well as the impact of hate crimes on communities and the experiences of victims and communities targeted by hate crimes. It is clear from an examination of successful prosecutions and a closer look at the groups targeted by perpetrators of hate that a more coordinated and integrated approach to hate crimes is required across the province. This will necessitate a partnership between communities, policing agencies and justice officials. This partnership is needed not only to ensure that hate crimes are reported, responded to appropriately, and recorded to establish trend data but also to ensure that all Albertans, including members of policing and justice agencies, have the education, training and tools they need to recognize and address hate crime and incidents in our communities. Recommendations are made in several areas, including a proposal to amend the criminal code to make it easier to prosecute hate-motivated crime perpetrators.
