Albertans can help inform government actions to address racism and build a more inclusive province.
As the province’s population continues to grow and become more diverse, Alberta’s government is committed to listening and learning about the experiences of all people in Alberta, including racialized individuals, Indigenous people and others who may face systemic barriers.
All Albertans are encouraged to fill out an online survey before Oct. 21. They can share their perspectives on the impact racism has in this province and on future government actions to address racism.
Public engagement will build upon Alberta’s recently released Anti-Racism Action Plan. A road map for meaningful action, the plan outlines the government’s commitment to diversity, removing systemic barriers to accessing government programs and making sure Albertans have equal access to information and services. Alberta’s Anti-Racism Advisory Council has played an important role in this work.
Apply for a grant to host a local session
To provide more opportunities for Albertans to share their views, funding is available to ethnic, religious, cultural and community organizations and First Nations and Metis Settlements to host in-person anti-racism engagement sessions. Up to 40 grants of up to $2,500 will be available, and organizations have until Oct. 21 to apply.
Organizations must host sessions by Dec. 16 and will receive support materials from the government. Large and small organizations from across Alberta are encouraged to apply to give a diverse range of Albertans an opportunity to share their thoughts. More information is available on alberta.ca.
Engagement with Indigenous Peoples
Alberta’s government is committed to truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. As partners in reconciliation, we are listening to and working with Indigenous people in Alberta to determine the best ways forward to a better future.
The government will extend invitations to meet with chiefs in Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8, as well as leadership from Metis Settlements, the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Alberta Métis Federation to make sure Indigenous perspectives on anti-racism are included. Indigenous people are also invited to take the online survey, and First Nations and Metis Settlements and Native Friendship Centres are eligible to apply for grants to host community-led sessions.
Other stakeholder sessions
To gather more in-depth feedback, some people and organizations will be invited to participate in additional in-person sessions with the Associate Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism. These sessions will take place in in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and Brooks.
Quick Facts
- According to the most recently available census data, of the 3,978,145 people in Alberta, 21.2 percent (845,220) are immigrants, 23 percent (933,165) are visible minorities, and 6.5 percent (258,640) are Indigenous.
- Topics for both the in-person sessions and the online survey include what actions the government should take to address racism and how the government can continue to engage communities and Albertans on anti-racism initiatives. The online survey also includes questions on the collection of race-based data.
- Alberta’s government has begun work on a number of anti-racism initiatives, including:
- Establishing a hate crime liaison and a Hate Crimes Coordination Unit.
- Formally recognizing First Nations policing under the Police Act.
- Banning the practice of carding.
- Introducing the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program.
- Enacting the Fair Registrations Practices Act and creating the Fairness for Newcomers Office to help new Albertans get their qualifications recognized.
- Developing an inclusive communications policy for government.
CRRF’s National Anti-Racism Fund: Working together to build a more anti-racist Canada
