A man with an extensive history of violent offences has been arrested after stabbing two worshippers inside a Sikh temple in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta province in western Canada, in an early morning attack that has shaken the country's Sikh community and prompted calls for reform of bail and parole laws.

The attack took place at around 5 a.m. local time on Friday at the Nanaksar Gurdwara — a gurdwara being a Sikh place of worship — in northeast Edmonton. The suspect, a 27-year-old man, entered the temple and attempted to access the prayer area before being confronted by staff. The confrontation escalated and he stabbed two men, a 75-year-old and a 51-year-old, using what witnesses described as a screwdriver. The temple's vice-president identified the victims as a priest and a longtime volunteer. Quick-acting bystanders intervened and detained the attacker until police arrived. Both victims were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; the suspect was also hospitalised. Edmonton police said the man had been released from a federal prison in Alberta the day before the attack and had failed to report to his designated halfway house — a transitional facility meant to help individuals reintegrate into society after incarceration. Police noted his violent criminal history dates back to 2015.

Authorities are investigating whether the assault was motivated by hatred. Edmonton Police Chief Warren Driechel acknowledged growing concerns about hate crimes, saying he saw