Premier criticizes Edmonton police for video encouraging hate reports

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has criticized Edmonton Police Service for a social media video encouraging residents to report hate, saying law enforcement should focus on violent crime rather than policing speech.

EPS posted an 18-second video on July 31 showing examples of hateful comments — including remarks about deportations and ethnic stereotypes — and ended with "hate has no home here" alongside a call to report such statements to police.

On Tuesday, Smith responded on social media, saying Alberta's police should address violent crimes, theft, illegal drugs, and vandalism. "Free speech is a foundational Alberta value," she wrote. "We don't believe in policing unpopular or religious-based statements even if they are controversial. That's a slippery slope other countries have fallen into and we can't go down that road."

Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis echoed the criticism, stating the province will contact police agencies to ensure their priorities remain on violent crime, theft, drugs, and vandalism. "Alberta's government does not condone hate speech or violence, but we believe law enforcement should be focused on stopping violent crime, not policing opinions or 'hurt feelings,'" Ellis wrote.

EPS has not yet commented on the premier's response. The police service's Hate Crimes Unit investigates hate crimes and incidents in partnership with the community, according to its mandate. The criticism raises questions about what role police should play in reporting and responding to hate-motivated behaviour versus addressing the criminal act of violence itself.