Justice Minister calls for pepper spray for self-defence, mandatory minimums for hate crimes

Currently, pepper spray is considered a prohibited weapon under the Criminal Code.

“It is sadly ironic that a vulnerable person carrying pepper spray for self-defence would quite possibly receive a longer sentence than her attacker.”

Madu also referenced an increase in drug-fuelled attacks, believing that pepper spray would be helpful in situations where it is needed.

My letter to the federal ministers on hate-motivated crimes.

Albertans need to be able to defend themselves. Vulnerable people should be able to feel safe by carrying pepper spray.

And those found guilty need to spend more than 35 days in jail.

We urge them to take action. pic.twitter.com/y4EnP2heq4

— Kaycee Madu (@KayceeMaduYEG) July 21, 2021

His other ask to Ottawa is to establish “strong mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of a racist, hate, and bias-motivated assault.”

The minister gave an example of where an Edmonton man was sentenced to seven months for three separate race-motivated assaults, but with credit for time already served, the man only had to spend another 35 days in custody.

“This is clearly unacceptable, and demonstrates a pattern of leniency in our criminal system when it comes to hate-motivated crime sentencing.”

Madu outlined a few initiatives his ministry is undertaking to tackle these issues in Alberta.

Launching the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program to provide grants for security and technology at at-risk religious and multicultural communities
Working on establishing a community liaison on hate crimes to provide the province with a wide range of perspectives on how to address racist, hate, and bias-motivated crimes
Setting up a new Hate Crimes Coordination Unit to improve hate crime prevention and mitigation

by David Opinko

Justice Minister calls for pepper spray for self-defence, mandatory minimums for hate crimes

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