Prominent Quebeckers voice support for Trudeau’s anti-Islamophobia representative
FRÉDÉRIK-XAVIER DUHAMEL AND ERIC ANDREW-GEE
After an uproar in Quebec, thirty of the province’s civil-society leaders signed a statement on Friday supporting Amira Elghawaby’s appointment as Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia.
The signatories, including celebrated philosopher Charles Taylor and civil-rights lawyer Julius Grey, were responding to calls from across Quebec’s political spectrum for Ms. Elghawaby’s resignation after it emerged that she had once written that a “majority” of Quebeckers appear to be swayed by prejudice against Muslims in their support of the provincial secularism law, known as Bill 21.
She later said that the controversial line was not her opinion, but rather a description of the findings of a Léger poll.
The controversy has raised difficult questions about religion’s place in public life, the province’s openness to diversity, and perceptions of “Quebec bashing” by the rest of Canada.
“We are sensitive to the concerns that have been raised since her appointment,” reads the statement, “but the challenge before her is a considerable one and we believe that Ms. Elghawaby should be given the opportunity to assume and pursue the mandate for which she was appointed.”
After several days of outrage in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing her appointment, Ms. Elghawaby apologized on Wednesday for having “hurt people in Quebec.” She also met with Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet in Ottawa and agreed to meet with provincial politicians in Quebec.
Still, Mr. Blanchet and Quebec Premier François Legault stood behind their calls for her resignation Thursday, even as Mr. Trudeau continued to back the former journalist and activist. Other critics pointed to a Twitter post by Ms. Elghawaby saying the assertion that French Canadians were Canada’s largest group to be victimized by British colonialism made her want to “puke.“
Signatories said in interviews with The Globe and Mail that the statement in her defence was not meant as an endorsement of her comments.
“The letter has nothing to do with approval or disapproval of what she said,” Mr. Grey, the civil-rights lawyer, said. “It is against the idea that certain things can never be said and that once you said them, you can never be named to a public function.”
According to Mr. Grey, Ms. Elghawaby’s statement about Islamophobia in Quebec “is a debatable one, as much as Mr. Legault’s statement that there is no systemic racism in Quebec.” Such remarks, the lawyer said, should lead to open discussions, not disqualify those who utter them.
The controversial statements “irritate me incredibly,” said Charles Taylor, emeritus professor of philosophy at McGill University and former co-chair of a government commission on the “reasonable accommodation” of religious minorities. Nonetheless, Ms. Elghawaby should be given a chance to learn about the “misunderstandings” between English and French-speaking Canadians that lay behind her comments before being asked to resign, Prof. Taylor said.
The academic said there is no doubt that Bill 21, which bans certain public servants – including police officers and teachers – from wearing religious symbols such as hijabs while at work, is discriminatory, but that prejudice against Muslims extends well beyond Quebec.
“There is massive Islamophobia in the Western world, and anybody who pretends that’s not the case in a society is either a liar or a moron,” Prof. Taylor said.
In a 2021 decision, Quebec Superior Court largely upheld the secularism law but acknowledged that it has serious and negative – even “cruel” – consequences for those who wear religious symbols in public, and negatively impacts Muslim women “first and foremost.”
When asked about Mr. Blanchet’s call for the special representative on Islamophobia position to be abolished or for any candidate to have a “neutral” view of Bill 21 as a prerequisite, Prof. Taylor laughed. “I don’t know how anybody who is not totally ignorant of Bill 21 could have a neutral view of the law,” he said.
The signatories include Boufeldja Benabdallah, co-founder of the Quebec City mosque where six Muslim men were killed in 2017, Samaa Elibyari of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, and Red Coalition Founder Joel DeBellefeuille. The statement said that they “stand ready to contribute to a constructive dialogue around these complex and sensitive issues and are committed to countering biases of all kinds.”
After an uproar in Quebec, thirty of the province’s civil-society leaders signed a statement on Friday supporting Amira Elghawaby’s appointment as Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia.
The signatories, including celebrated philosopher Charles Taylor and civil-rights lawyer Julius Grey, were responding to calls from across Quebec’s political spectrum for Ms. Elghawaby’s resignation after it emerged that she had once written that a “majority” of Quebeckers appear to be swayed by prejudice against Muslims in their support of the provincial secularism law, known as Bill 21.
She later said that the controversial line was not her opinion, but rather a description of the findings of a Léger poll.
The controversy has raised difficult questions about religion’s place in public life, the province’s openness to diversity, and perceptions of “Quebec bashing” by the rest of Canada.
“We are sensitive to the concerns that have been raised since her appointment,” reads the statement, “but the challenge before her is a considerable one and we believe that Ms. Elghawaby should be given the opportunity to assume and pursue the mandate for which she was appointed.”
After several days of outrage in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing her appointment, Ms. Elghawaby apologized on Wednesday for having “hurt people in Quebec.” She also met with Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet in Ottawa and agreed to meet with provincial politicians in Quebec.
Still, Mr. Blanchet and Quebec Premier François Legault stood behind their calls for her resignation Thursday, even as Mr. Trudeau continued to back the former journalist and activist. Other critics pointed to a Twitter post by Ms. Elghawaby saying the assertion that French Canadians were Canada’s largest group to be victimized by British colonialism made her want to “puke.“
Signatories said in interviews with The Globe and Mail that the statement in her defence was not meant as an endorsement of her comments.
“The letter has nothing to do with approval or disapproval of what she said,” Mr. Grey, the civil-rights lawyer, said. “It is against the idea that certain things can never be said and that once you said them, you can never be named to a public function.”
According to Mr. Grey, Ms. Elghawaby’s statement about Islamophobia in Quebec “is a debatable one, as much as Mr. Legault’s statement that there is no systemic racism in Quebec.” Such remarks, the lawyer said, should lead to open discussions, not disqualify those who utter them.
The controversial statements “irritate me incredibly,” said Charles Taylor, emeritus professor of philosophy at McGill University and former co-chair of a government commission on the “reasonable accommodation” of religious minorities. Nonetheless, Ms. Elghawaby should be given a chance to learn about the “misunderstandings” between English and French-speaking Canadians that lay behind her comments before being asked to resign, Prof. Taylor said.
The academic said there is no doubt that Bill 21, which bans certain public servants – including police officers and teachers – from wearing religious symbols such as hijabs while at work, is discriminatory, but that prejudice against Muslims extends well beyond Quebec.
“There is massive Islamophobia in the Western world, and anybody who pretends that’s not the case in a society is either a liar or a moron,” Prof. Taylor said.
In a 2021 decision, Quebec Superior Court largely upheld the secularism law but acknowledged that it has serious and negative – even “cruel” – consequences for those who wear religious symbols in public, and negatively impacts Muslim women “first and foremost.”
When asked about Mr. Blanchet’s call for the special representative on Islamophobia position to be abolished or for any candidate to have a “neutral” view of Bill 21 as a prerequisite, Prof. Taylor laughed. “I don’t know how anybody who is not totally ignorant of Bill 21 could have a neutral view of the law,” he said.
The signatories include Boufeldja Benabdallah, co-founder of the Quebec City mosque where six Muslim men were killed in 2017, Samaa Elibyari of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, and Red Coalition Founder Joel DeBellefeuille. The statement said that they “stand ready to contribute to a constructive dialogue around these complex and sensitive issues and are committed to countering biases of all kinds.”
Recent
Un Gatinois allègue un profilage racial à l’aéroport d’Edmonton
November 16th, 2023
Gatineau man alleges he was beaten by police, racially profiled by CATSA at Edmonton International Airport
November 16th, 2023
Devenir policier au Québec, le rêve impossible des non-citoyens
November 6th, 2023
The Red Coalition Says Hockey Canada Must Confront Racism In Canadian Hockey
November 3rd, 2023
Un lieutenant suspendu pour propos racistes
November 2nd, 2023
Archive
2023
January
Family of Montreal man killed while unlawfully jailed wants systemic racism inquiryLa famille de l’homme demande une enquête sur le racisme systémiqueSystemic racism inquiry called for by family of man who died after being pepper-sprayed at Bordeaux prisonDétenu mort à la prison de Bordeaux: une coalition exige plus de transparence sur le milieu carcéralUN GROUPE ANTIRACISTE RÉCLAME UNE ENQUÊTE PUBLIQUE SUR LA MORT DU DÉTENU DE BORDEAUXRights group seeks public inquiry into death of man in Montreal jailLobby group seeks public inquiry in Montreal man's jail deathAnti-racism group calls for release of video in connection with Montreal jail deathCivil rights group calls for inquiry into death of illegally jailed 21-year-old black manUne coalition réclame la publication de la vidéo de l’interventionLobby group seeks public inquiry, release of video in Montreal man’s jail deathAnti-racism group claims Quebec told Longueuil police to ignore court order on racial profilingAllison Hanes: Montreal prison death demands urgent answersRed Coalition: Quebec ministry told Longueuil police force to defy court order on racial profilingQuebec told Longueuil police to disregard court order on racial profiling, says anti-racism groupCivil rights group accuses Quebec of covering up race-based police dataQue s’est-il passé à Bordeaux ?Public inquiry ordered into jail death of illegally detained Montreal manPublic inquest to be held into death of man in Montreal jailChief coroner orders public inquiry into death of 21-year-old illegally detained at Bordeaux jailCoroner orders public inquiry into Montreal man's jail deathIl y aura une enquête publique du coroner sur la mort de Nicous SpringRed Coalition calling for investigation into systemic racism in Quebec jailsChief Coroner orders public inquiry into death of Nicous SpringPolice union head tells Montreal's new chief: staffing shortages 1st, community policing 2ndPROFILAGE RACIAL: UNE PLAINTE OFFICIELLE DÉPOSÉE CONTRE LA VILLE DE LONGUEUILCoalition alleges contempt of court against LongueuilPROFILAGE RACIAL: «LA CAQ DOIT TENIR SES PROMESSES», ESTIME LA COALITION ROUGEGroups to kick off Black History Month with measures to fight racism
February
Anti-racism group accuses Montreal-area school of systemic racismCalls grow to change streets named after Christopher Columbus on island of MontrealQuebec sisters afraid to go school, say racism complaints ignoredGroup says private school near Montreal ignored racism complaintsCas de racisme et de cyberintimidation au Collège Bourget de RigaudUn citoyen souhaite «annuler» Christophe Colomb à Pointe-ClaireRACISME ET CYBERINTIMIDATION: LE COLLÈGE BOURGET MIS EN DEMEUREBlack anti-racism groups lob volleys at Canada and QuebecProminent Quebeckers voice support for Trudeau’s anti-Islamophobia representativeProminent Québecers plead for federal anti-Islamophobia rep to be given a chancePetition against Bill 21 tabled at National AssemblyMontreal police brotherhood says it's too easy to blame its members for racial profilingLongueuil, other Quebec police slow in implementing race-based data frameworkAucune accusation ne sera portée contre les policiers qui ont tué Junior OlivierCalls for police accountability as officers who fatally shot Jean René Olivier face no chargesLack of care on Loyola property "unacceptable":DeBellefeuilleGroups call to cancel puppet show featuring minstrel characterUn spectacle pour enfants sème la controverse dans l’ouest de MontréalUn exemple de « racisme systémique », dénoncent des associationsLocal Montreal play carries on despite upset over controversial puppetFamily of man killed by Repentigny police says lawsuit incomingLa mère de Jean-René Junior Olivier poursuit la Ville de RepentignyLa mère de Jean-René Junior Olivier, abattu par des policiers de Repentigny en août 2021, a déposé une poursuite contre la Ville de RepentignyFamily of Black man killed by Repentigny police files to sue city for $430K in damages
March
Red Coalition alleges SPVM withholding findings on racial profilingAnti-racism group says Montreal police withheld findings of racial profiling reportUN GROUPE ANTIRACISTE AFFIRME QUE LE SPVM A RETENU LES CONCLUSIONS D'UN RAPPORT SUR LE PROFILAGE RACIALThis boarded-up building lays bare Montreal's crumbling social housing systemCity of Longueuil facing contempt charges related to police racial profilingLE PROFILAGE RACIAL EXERCÉ PAR LA POLICE DANS LA MIRE DU MINISTRE BONNARDELQuebec Bill on police practices facing criticismEthics complaint filed against Montreal executive committee chairperson"Smokescreen; a dog and pony show"City of Longueuil, Que. gets postponement of contempt of court charges
May
Pearson Board denies allegations of systemic racism, assaultAllegations of discrimination and racism at Montreal-area elementary schoolPlea to integrate permanent residents into Quebec police forcesPlaidoyer pour intégrer des résidents permanents au sein des corps policiers québécoisPolicier au Québec: un métier encore fermé aux résidents permanents
July
Red Coalition to SPVM: amend random stops policyLa Coalition rouge presse le SPVM de «réviser» sa Politique d’interpellationRed Coalition demanding Montreal police review street checks policyUn groupe de pression veut recenser l’ethnicité des personnes interpelléesAnti-racism group wants Montreal police to review street check policy'Unusual time to be driving': Anti-racism group calls on Montreal police to modify street checksKirkland resident says he was pulled over in NDG for being BlackLaval police handcuff, illegally search Black military man’s home after street check: Red CoalitionLaval man accuses police of racial profiling, intends to file human rights complaintMilitary aerospace engineer says he was racially profiled by Laval policeCanadian Forces’ member out for run ‘mocked,’ alleges racial profiling by policeMan alleges random police stop in South Shore led to illegal search, fine for contraband cigarettesMontreal man to file human rights complaint over traffic stop by Roussillon police‘Gross incompetence:’ Man ticketed for contraband cigarettes says he was racially profiled
September
October
Montreal man handcuffed, fined after SQ traffic stop; racial profiling complaint filedAnti-racism group says two Black Montreal firefighters faced years of racial abuseBlack Montreal firefighters allege racism in the workplaceLe Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal visé par une plainte devant la Commission des droits de la personneUne plainte déposée contre le SIM pour racisme et discrimination systémiqueAnti-racism group says two Black Montreal firefighters faced years of racial abuse«Mot en n»: des pompiers de Montréal victimes de racisme portent plainte2 Black firefighters in Montreal faced years of racial abuse, anti-racism group says
Categories
no categories