Two new hate crimes community liaisons will help connect groups affected by hate crimes with the justice system.
The province appointed Cecilia Mzvondiwa and Landon Turlock as the province’s first-ever hate crimes community liaisons who will work directly with cultural communities most targeted by hate and bias-motivated crimes.
They will also make recommendations to government on how to develop and implement a co-ordinated and comprehensive strategy to prevent these crimes and best support victims.
“Alberta is taking a multi-faceted approach to protecting those targeted by hate and bias-motivated crimes from the criminals who target them. I am excited to see the many ways that our new community liaisons help us focus our law enforcement responses and supports for victims on the people who are most in need,” said Justice Minister Tyler Shandro in a statement.
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Mzvondiwa said Albertans need to work together to create safe communities.
“Hate crimes are a challenging reality in Alberta communities. I look forward to engaging our communities and stakeholders to create a safe environment where every Albertan can have a sense of security and belonging,” said Mzvondiwa, who is the founder and CEO of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultancy.
Turlock, who has worked for the City of Edmonton as a community safety liaison, said he looks forward to working alongside those most affected by hate crimes.
Both appointments are for two-year terms effective May 25, 2022.
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The province previously introduced the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program to fund targeted organizations to bolster protective measures, and this year funding was more than doubled to help even more organizations.
The Hate Crimes Coordination Unit was also created to work with law enforcement groups across the province to help reduce and respond to hate-driven occurrences. The unit is up and running with a full staff.