By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

the everything red deer podcast

RCMP won’t lay charges after incident in Red Deer with anti-immigrant signs

Mar 28, 2025 | 6:58 AM

Charges will not be laid in relation to a concerning incident which took place in Red Deer March 1.

That day, a handful of people were seen holding up signs and a flag in at least three locations within downtown Red Deer, two of them being the doorsteps to settlement agencies frequented by newcomers.

The signs read ‘Deport them all’ and ‘White lives matter,’ while a flag beared a symbol known to be linked to a white supremacist movement.

The incident also came just a month after a similar occurrence in St. Albert, where charges were also not laid.

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Alberta RCMP have confirmed following their investigation into the Red Deer incident that there were not enough grounds to lay any charges, namely any that would be hate crime-related.

Cpl. Mohamad Khaled is the Hate Crimes Coordinator for Alberta RCMP, and also co-chairs the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Gender & Harassment Action Committee.

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• Red Deer agencies disturbed after xenophobic and racist signs and symbols displayed on their doorsteps

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Speaking with rdnewsNOW and The Everything Red Deer Podcast, he explains the four parts (318, 319(1), 319(2)) of Canada’s Criminal Code which deal with hate-related incidents yield a very high threshold to be met before charges of that nature can be laid.

The Criminal Code doesn’t actually define a ‘hate crime,’ he pointed out.

“The general definition is a criminal offense committed against a person or property which is motivated in whole or in part by the suspect’s bias or prejudice towards an identifiable group. The Criminal Code does define what an ‘identifiable group’ is, [and it says that means] any section of the public distinguished by race, national or ethnic original, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression,” he said.

“How it works currently is, let’s say there’s an assault, and the victim was targeted because of their religion; because there is no standalone section for hate, [then] through the court process, the motivation of hatred is highlighted, and upon sentencing, we request an increased sentence due to that aggravating factor.”

In essence, however, the threshold for these types of charges, Khaled said, is “quite high.”

In cases such as what happened in Red Deer, one must take into account freedom of speech, he continued.

“It’s not the role of police to police people’s thoughts, opinions and beliefs. It’s within our rights as Canadians to express our opinions. With that said, Section 1 of the Charter says it’s okay to have those beliefs as long as you’re not causing harm to others.”

Then what, some may wonder, about the fact those who displayed the signs in Red Deer did so on the property of settlement agencies?

Speaking generally, and not directly to what happened in Red Deer, Cpl. Khaled explained they do take those details into account.

“There could be potential for other offenses; so are we looking at causing a disturbance, or trespassing?,” he offered. “We wouldn’t approach an investigation strictly with that narrow [hate] focus. We are going to look broadly and identify what we have.”

Khaled said that while laws around hate incidents are evolving, and there is talk of creating a standalone section within the Criminal Code which would more pointedly address certain types of acts, public awareness and officer training are both key, no matter what the law currently says.

“Hate crimes are unique in a sense where they’re commonly referred to as ‘message crimes,’ where the suspect is trying to send a message to a particular group. We also have to send a message back saying criminal acts will not be tolerated,” he continued.

“[We stress] the importance of reporting. Whatever [the public] feels needs to be reported, please report, and do not hesitate. We’re going to respond as seriously as we do to other reports.”

He also said whether or not charges are laid, supports are provided to victims and others who may have been impacted.

Championing unity among local agencies

Meantime, community voices continue to call for unity.

Look no further than the 10th annual CommUnity Power of One event which took place in Red Deer March 21.

“There are a lot of cultures and different types of people who’ve had to take their practices underground, or have to hide for their own personal safety. Events like this really bring that safety back to community, and reinforce the importance of collective action,” says Shannon Humphrey, Nanatawihowin Two-Spirit Program Keeper at the Red Deer Native Friendship Centre, which had a hand in putting on the event.

Dieulita Datus-Hall, program manager at Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership, which along with Care for Newcomers, also helped stage ‘Power of One,’ said their event reminds the community that work to unite people and decrease division is always ongoing.

“It’s up to us, the organizations, as well as individuals, to ensure we’re continuing to have the conversations, and that it’s not enough to simply say, ‘Well, we haven’t had any issues within the past year or two, so all our work is done.’ We continue to attend events, we continue to learn how to combat hate and racism,” she said.

“This [incident] is a reminder that our work is not completed and that there isn’t a finish line.”

‘Power of One’ organizers are putting together a bystander training seminar, with more details to come soon.

“Not everyone knows what to do in those situations. It’s shocking for [some], it’s traumatizing for others, so we believe in giving community the tools they need to feel empowered and stand up when they see something,” Datus-Hall adds.

“Sometimes that will be sending an email to their [elected] representatives, other times it may be they need to step in to protect the victim and remind them they too belong in Red Deer.”

To learn more, visit RCMP.ca and the Alberta RCMP on social media; as well, check out CommUnity Power of One on social media.

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