Federal Office to Combat Islamophobia

For years the Muslim community has witnessed growing Islamophobia across Canada, from the Quebec mosque shooting to the London terrorist attack on the Afzal family.

The government held an Action Summit on Islamophobia but did very little in commitments to the community.  

Islamophobia in Canada has so many manifestations. Hate crimes to institutional racism in government agencies.

In order to tackle this both in the short term and the long term the community has called on the government to establish a federal office, with adequate mandate and resources, to develop and implement a comprehensive anti-Islamophobia strategy.

CRA Prejudice and Biased Audits

Two reports were released by civil liberties groups that exposed prejudiced and biased audits of Muslim charities by a secret division in the CRA. 

This was the #1 issue raised at the National Action Summit on Islamophobia. The Liberal government responded with a controversial review by the CRA ombudsperson that is non-binding and limited in scope. 

The Liberal Party has not offered any reforms in its platform. The Conservative Party has announced it will give more binding powers to the Ombudsperson and bring reform to income tax act on the CRA’s direction and control problematic and draconian guidelines. The NDP has spoken out publicly on this matter and advocated for change.

The Charity Sector has called for an immediate moratorium on targeted audits of Muslim charities by the CRA’s Review and Analysis Division (RAD) pending a comprehensive review of RAD leading to reform or dissolution of the division.

This has precedence and was done by Trudeau in the case of environmental groups.

CBSA Oversight

The CBSA has targeted refugees from Muslim countries, particularly from countries that have had experienced attempts to establish democracy and have been thwarted by military coups followed by crackdowns on activists and opposition. These include Muslims from Bangladesh, Egypt, Tunis, and others.

The CBSA has used a problematic section 34(1)(f) of the immigration act to block refugees and deport them back to their countries. Much of this is fueled by Islamophobia in the CBSA and foreign influence of these regimes.

Today there is no way to address these concerns through oversight or a complaints process. The CBSA works without accountability. 

The Liberal government has been mute on these issues and has failed to bring reform through parliament.

The Muslim community is calling for reform and  oversight of the CBSA, including a meaningful mechanism for investigation and resolution of complaints of targeting and profiling of Muslims.

Protect Freedom Of Expression

For years Canadians advocating for democracy and human rights around the world have faced obstacles to their free expression, particularly advocacy against authoritarian and occupying regimes such as in the Middle East, Myanmar and China.

With the exception of hate, freedom and expression cannot be limited and activists cannot be subjected to censorship and misrepresentation of both themselves and their cause.

UN Resolutions on Palestine

Since 2019, the Federal government has voted in favor of the UN resolution in support of Palestinian self-determination. However, it has continued to vote against all other resolutions, despite the majority of the international community supporting the rights of Palestinians more consistently.

Canada’s anti-Palestinian voting record at the UN has played a major role in our declining reputation in the world.

Supporting Democracy Everywhere

In the Islamophobia summit Trudeau reaffirmed that “on the world stage, our government will always stand up for peace and democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of belief. This includes the protection of minorities.” 

But in practice the Government has been selective in its foreign policy. It has condemned coups in Mali and Myanmar, but remained silent in Egypt and most recently Tunis.

COVID-19 Response & Rebuilding Our Economy

The pandemic exposed the deep inequities routinely experienced by women, members of racialized communities, those with disabilities, and individuals struggling with mental health and addictions.

Canada’s 170,000 charities and nonprofits have been responding to these challenges and have the expertise, local networks and talent needed to create the inclusive recovery Canadians deserve to address poverty, discrimination, homelessness, youth unemployment, the lack of mental health supports and inadequate childcare.

FOOD SECURITY

Food insecurity is on the rise in Canada. During the pandemic, it increased by 39 per cent, affecting one in seven Canadians. Far too many people can’t afford good food, or they worry about running out with no money to buy more.

The federal government must take the lead in addressing the real causes of food insecurity in Canada.

Affordable Housing

More than 235,000 people in Canada experience homelessness in any given year, and over 35,000 people experience homelessness on any given night.

Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) is intended to address housing development and affordability, and manage Canada’s housing crisis.

Not enough has been done.

Indigenous Affairs

Beginning in May 2021, with the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., the graves of more than 1,300 other children have since been found, including more than 751 in Marieval, Sask. 

At the same time Indigenous communities have been hit hard by COVID 19. This is especially true for people living on reserve and in the sparsely populated and geographically remote northern territories. 

In their 2019 platforms, the Liberals, NDP and Green Party all committed to implement this global human rights standard, but the Conservatives did not. 

In June 2021, the Senate passed an Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Immigration and Refugees

Muslims across the world are experiencing persecution, oppression, and authoritarian regimes. The numbers of refugees from Muslim countries is growing, whether it be the Rohingyas in Myanmar, and Uyghurs in China, political opposition in Bangladesh or Egypt. 

Canada’s refugee system must offer a safe haven to those who need protection.