Recent hate-motivated violence in the province prompted the correspondence, the letter explains, saying victims of these crimes would have benefited from carrying pepper spray.

"I want to make sure that citizens have all the tools that they need to defend themselves in a way that helps them ward off these attackers," Madu told CBC News.

In the past eight months, there have been numerous attacks across Alberta, many of which police say were rooted in anti-Muslim or anti-Black sentiment. Women have been predominantly targeted.

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Lisa Silver, an associate professor in the University of Calgary's law faculty, said while the intention is laudable, it could give women a false sense of security from prosecution.

trust me goyim, the intention is laudable