One city – one journey – one safe crossing: The City of Calgary Public Safety Anti-racism Action Strategy
Abstract
The City of Calgary Public Safety Anti-Racism Action Strategy aims to prevent and mitigate systemic racism and racialization in public safety and City programs and services. The strategy highlights the need to examine policies, bylaws, and legislation that regulate behaviors, statements, or decisions that cause or sustain racism and racialization. It also emphasizes the importance of community engagement in supporting The City’s efforts to become anti-racist. This Action Strategy is instrumental in the development of The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which provides an overview of strategic actions to create equitable and fair protection, treatment, and outcomes for all Calgarians by enhancing public safety, dignity, order, and peace.
Notes
Integration timeline: newcomers not defined
Key findings:
Themes from community engagements include:
- Lived and living experiences of hate and racial harassment in public spaces and City properties
- Racially inequitable processes and procedures in reporting hate crimes and incidents
- Systemic barriers to accessing racially equitable and responsive protection/treatment
- Inadequate services that provide racial trauma-informed care and supports
- Inadequate facilities and supports to promote social cohesion and hate-free environments across communities
- Community engagement is crucial in supporting The City’s efforts to become anti-racist.
Key recommendations:
- Prevent and mitigate systemic racism and racialization in public safety and City programs and services.
- Examine policies, bylaws, and legislation that regulate behaviors, statements, or decisions that cause or sustain racism and racialization.
- Align regulatory systems with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Alberta Human Rights Act.
- Explore the risks that exist to the life, security, liberty, and dignity of Indigenous, Black, and diverse Racialized peoples and communities if regulatory systems are not re-designed.
- Promote public peace, public order, and public dignity for all Calgarians regardless of race or ethnic background.
- Engage with communities to understand their experiences of hate and racial harassment in public spaces and City properties.
Location: Calgary, AB
Community organizations: n/a
Future research / gaps identified: n/a
Key populations: all Calgarians
Open access: Yes
