The federal government has denied Alberta’s request to amend the Criminal Code to allow people to carry pepper spray for self-defence.
Provincial Justice Minister Kaycee Madu sent a letter to both his federal counterpart and the public safety minister two weeks ago, arguing victims of recent hate-motivated violence in the province would have benefited from carrying pepper spray. Madu also asked Ottawa to establish mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of hate-motivated crimes.
Pepper spray is illegal to carry and its use can result in criminal charges.
