Hulgaard gets house arrest, probation for promoting hatred

A Medicine Hat man was ordered Thursday to undergo intensive counselling while spending one year under house arrest as he was sentenced for wilfully promoting hatred against Jews and immigrants.

Loki Holger Hulgaard, 37, will also serve another two years probation and must avoid four locations in the city where anti-Semitic and anti-immigration stickers were posted in 2018 and the store where he passed currency stamped with the phrase, “White Genocide.”

That idea, that Jews are attempting to wipe out Western culture and white populations via increased immigration, is based on “pseudo science, a false history,” said Provincial Court Judge John Mayer.

“It’s a myth and a conspiracy theory that increasing leads to violence. We have seen that in European countries and in our neighbours to the south,” said Mayer.

Hulgaard, with a closely shaved head and wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, sat in the corner of the prisoner’s box as special Crown prosecutor Heather Morris and defence lawyer Scott Hadford, discussed a jointsentencing agreement.

When asked if he had anything to say, Hulgaard replied, “I don’t have problems with any Jews per se, but I do have problems with political ideologies.”

Afterwards, Mayer responded.

“The vast majority may have disparaging views of politics of the day,” he said “The promotion of hate destroys rights and civil society.”

Hulgaard will forfeit rifles that had serial numbers removed and a large amount of ammunition that was seized when police searched his home in the late summer of 2018. Cash and what was described as “hate literature” were also seized.

Hadford said his client is intelligent and generally affable, but is essentially disenfranchised from society because of his views and vocal support for them.

The goal, he argued, is to avoid further isolating his client and avoid the potential for further hateful actions.

“We certainly don’t hold the same views, but we can talk,” he said describing the sentence — agreed to by the Crown — that would see active counselling monitored by his probation officer.

“This gives Mr. Hulgaard a better opportunity to integrate back into society,” said Hadford.

Crown attorney Heather Morris said the goal in sentencing is to both deter and rehabilitate.

The offence carries a maximum of two years in jail, but similar cases produced varying sentences based on mitigating factors.

Hulgaard has no other criminal record but has been active in developing and promoting his views.

“This wasn’t a single act; it was a deliberate campaign,” said Morris. “There’s no doubt there has been harm to these groups as hate is spread in the community, and against the principles of Canadian society.”

Hulgaard will spend the next four months restricted to his residence, then a further eight months will see an overnight curfew in place, and during all times he is to keep the peace.

He will also refrain from publishing political views related to Jewish people, immigrants or the LGBTQ community, and remove all previous internet posts and a “manifesto” from public view within two weeks.

He must remain away from buildings, organizations or events related to those groups, cannot leave Alberta and is barred from possessing weapons or firearms for a three-year period.

Maher stated further that should Hulgaard break the conditions imposed, the sentence will be revisited.

“You face the prospect of serving serious time in a (correctional) institution — in fact you can take that to the bank,” he said, adding more strict conditions can be found.

“I assure you that you would find them punitive.”