NDP, Sikh leaders call for more action after Edmonton Gurdwara faces threats, harassment

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The Opposition NDP and leaders in Edmonton’s Sikh community are calling on the province to take more concrete action against threats and harassment.

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Since March, community leaders at the Singh Sabha Gurdwara, a Sikh temple in Mill Woods, have been targeted with harassing phone calls containing racial slurs and anti-Sikh sentiments.  The Gurdwara has also received multiple unsolicited deliveries containing meat, while eating meat is prohibited in Sikhism.

During a news conference with the NDP Wednesday, Gurpreet Kaur Bolina, a spokeswoman for Sangat Youth YEG and attendee of the Gurdwara, said the targeted harassment has made the community feel unsafe.

“What our Gurdwara has been dealing with since March is upsetting, unsettling and disrespectful,” Bolina said.

“We can and are receiving support from law enforcement, but unfortunately the police can only do so much under the confines of the law.”

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The Edmonton Police Service’s hate crimes and violent extremism unit is investigating the reports. Bolina said they want to feel safe again, before someone is physically hurt.

“We believe that the best way to achieve that for all Albertans is through legislation that will protect vulnerable communities from hate, as well as education on what hate is, and understanding all forms of hate, whether it’s overt or covert, which is essential to all Edmontonians, Albertans, and Canadians,” she said.

NDP multiculturalism critic Jasvir Deol said the NDP is calling for an immediate action plan to implement the recommendations from the province’s Anti-Racism Advisory Council and a bipartisan committee to drive the work forward.

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“There has been a rise in the number of racist-motivated crimes and harassment in the province and the government must take action. We need law enforcement to pursue them aggressively,” Deol said.

On Tuesday, the province announced not-for-profit organizations can now apply for a one-time emergency grant from the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program to help implement security upgrades to increase protection from potential vandalism and violence.

Funding of up to $12,000 is available for those facing an immediate threat of hate crimes, while the regular grant call will accept applications later this year.

However, Edmonton-Mill Woods NDP MLA Christina Gray said the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program puts the onus on the targeted communities instead of addressing the core issues of racism and hate. She said legislation and action is needed.

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Bolina echoed Gray’s sentiment, and said while the grant is welcome and much needed, rather than applying for grants, “we should have laws and education on why hate is dangerous.”

Ian Roddick, communications adviser for Justice Minister Kaycee Madu, said in a statement the province is currently reviewing the recommendations of the Alberta Anti-Racism Advisory Council and noted the establishment of the grant programs.

“The new community liaison on hate crimes will also be working closely with groups targeted by hate and bias-motivated crimes and provide helpful, grass-roots suggestions on how law enforcement and other areas of the justice system can better protect those being targeted,” Roddick said.

“We expect both the community liaison and the new hate crimes coordination unit to provide valuable direction as we find ways to improve the security of affected Albertans.”

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