A comment was made about Alberta being a hotbed of racism in Canada.
Being from Alberta, I don't think this is accurate.

The presence of racism is equally distributed thoughout Canada.

The difference is that in Alberta, a "racist" is more likely to tell that person exactly what they think of that persons race, country, religion, ethnic origin, practices etc. It is Ralph Klein style! Why not speak what is on ones mind?

IMO, this is at least more useful than the silent but active racism in Ontario, for example. In short, wouldn't you rather know who is your real enemy (i.e. not a well wisher) and who is not?

In Ontario, people are too afraid to say much at all even if they are thinking it...but their actions, their behaviour, the job appointments, the service attitudes, etc all speak of racist undertones.

Which one would you rather have?

Racism under the sheets?, or an open discussion and dialogue with those who are misinformed?

The last time I spoke with a racist in Alberta, we had an open discussion and he realized that I did not have all the "bad" qualities that he had stereotyped for all Desi's. This changed the relationship for the better. We need more of this.

In Ontario, it is difficult to pinpoint when a person is a racist, as opposed to when they just don't like you.