Families and individuals are moving to our small Alberta towns, excited for a fresh start and the close-knit communities they've heard so much about, but they are greeted with hateful graffiti on their fence. They are also our neighbours, who have been long-standing members of the community, who hear hateful slurs at the grocery store or watch their kids come home from school upset about comments from classmates. The victims of discrimination end up questioning whether they belong here at all.
These scenarios happen more often than we'd like to admit across rural Alberta.
Hate crimes can tear apart any community. When bias turns into criminal behaviour, it doesn't just hurt the immediate victims. It creates fear, divides neighbours, and undermines the community spirit that makes rural Alberta special.
When we understand hate crimes and know how to respond, we can save our neighbours from harm. Standing together against hate and actively promoting inclusivity creates stronger, safer places for everyone to call home.
Understanding Hate Crimes: More Than Just Prejudices
A hate crime isn't just someone being rude. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, hate crimes are criminal offences motivated by bias against identifiable groups. This includes targeting people because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, ethnicity, language, age, or sex.
Hate crimes carry heavier penalties under federal law if someone is charged, as they're meant to intimidate entire communities, not just individual victims. They create lasting fear and division in our neighbourhoods.
Common forms of hate crimes can include:
- Vandalism targeting religious or cultural symbols
- Graffiti with slurs or hate symbols
- Verbal harassment and threats based on someone's identity
- Physical assault motivated by bias
- Online harassment and cyberbullying
- Property damage targeting specific groups
- Intimidation tactics like following, surveillance, or threatening gestures
Not every incident driven by a harmful bias is a hate crime, as not all incidents meet the criminal threshold. But both criminal hate crimes and non-criminal hate incidents deserve community attention and response.
When Biases Become Criminal
Hate crimes often follow escalation patterns. Watch for these warning signs in your community:
- Verbal abuse becoming more frequent or aggressive
- Targeting of visible symbols (religious items, cultural decorations, pride flags)
- Multiple individuals coordinating harassment
- Threats of violence or property damage
- Distribution of hate materials or propaganda
How to Respond as a Victim of a Hate Crime
If you're targeted by what you believe is a hate crime, there are steps you can take. Remember, you do not deserve to be treated like this, and your safety comes first.
Immediate steps you can take
- Remove yourself from the situation if you can
- Call 911 if you're in immediate physical danger
- Don't confront them – this could cause things to escalate
- Get to a safe place with other people around
Document everything
- Take photos of damage, graffiti, or evidence
- Write down exactly what happened, when, and who was involved
- Save screenshots of online harassment
- Keep threatening messages or materials
- Note any witnesses who saw what happened
Report the incident
- Contact your local RCMP detachment or municipal police
- File a formal report even if you're unsure it meets the criminal threshold
- Request a copy of the police report for your records
- Contact the Alberta Human Rights Commission if workplace or service-related
Get support
- Reach out to trusted friends, family, or community members
- Contact victim services through local police or provincial programs
- Connect with cultural, religious, or advocacy organizations
- Consider counselling if the incident is affecting your mental health
- Remember that seeking help shows strength, not weakness
- Don't minimize what happened or convince yourself it "wasn't that bad." Hate crimes have lasting impacts, and you deserve support and justice.
How to Respond as a Witness to a Hate Crime
Witnessing a hate crime puts you in a powerful position to help – but your safety matters too. Here's how you can respond to and potentially prevent an incident safely.
Assess the situation first
- Is it safe for you to get involved?
- Are there other people around who can help as well?
- Do you need to call 911 immediately?
Safe intervention strategies
- "That's not acceptable" or "Stop that behaviour" (only if safe)
- Create a distraction, ask the victim if they need help, or engage them in conversation to defuse the situation
- Use your phone to record the incident
- Call the police or security
Support the victim
- Check if they're okay and need medical attention
- Offer to stay with them until help arrives
- Ask if they want you to be a witness if they report the incident
- Respect their choices about how they want to handle the situation
Building Inclusive Communities: Prevention That Works
The best way to deal with hate crimes is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Strong, inclusive communities are built through positive actions by residents who care.
- Take an internal look at your own biases and assumptions about different groups
- Learn about the cultures, religions, and identities in your community
- Speak up against discriminatory jokes, comments, or behaviour when you hear them
- Make efforts to welcome newcomers and include them in your community
- Model inclusive behaviour for your children and youths
Resources and Support Systems
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RCMP non-emergency: 310-RCMP (7267)
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Alberta Human Rights Commission: 1-888-999-8762
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Victim Services: Contact through local police or call 211
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Canadian Human Rights Commission: 1-888-214-1090
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Crisis and mental health support: 211 or local health authorities
Stronger Together
Hate crimes do more than just hurt individual victims – they damage entire communities. But when Albertans stand together against hate and actively work to include everyone, we create places where all residents can feel safe.
Every action matters. Whether you're welcoming a new family, speaking up against biases, or simply treating everyone with dignity and respect, you're helping create a community where hate can't take root.
October 29, 2025