Vancouver City Council

SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 4
P&E COMMITTEE AGENDA
FEBRUARY 17, 2005

MOTION ON NOTICE

Subject: Provincial Hate Crime Team

Mover: Councillor Tim Stevenson
Seconder: Councillor Ellen Woodsworth

WHEREAS

1. The BC Supreme Court verdict in the death of Aaron Webster saw one man acquitted and another allowed home for Christmas to await sentencing; and

2. This decision has caused anger and outrage in Vancouver’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community; and

3. This crime was motivated by homophobia; and

4. It is a fundamental right of all Vancouver’s citizens to live their lives in freedom and security, safe from violence and harm; and

5. Groups such as the Canadian Jewish Congress have warned that crimes like attack on Aaron Webster are not only directed against the individual but part of a larger pathology of group hatred tearing at the very fabric of our diverse society;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

1. That the City of Vancouver reiterate its commitment to oppose discrimination of any sort, including homophobia; and

2. The City of Vancouver endorse the call of the Canadian Jewish Congress for a well-funded provincial hate crime programme, the compilation of hate crime statistics and special sentencing provisions for hate crimes.

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