Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Chief human-rights commissioner resigns after investigation into Israel comments

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Aug, 2024 11:58 AM
  • Chief human-rights commissioner resigns after investigation into Israel comments

The recently appointed chief commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission said Monday that he agreed to resign after an investigation into his past comments related to Israel.

Birju Dattani has previously denied allegations that he made anti-Israel statements, including what Conservatives characterize as a "justification of terrorism."

The justice minister launched an investigation after Canadian Jewish organizations raised concerns about Dattani's past activities.

"The findings speak for themselves," Justice Minister Arif Virani said in a statement Monday.

"I have accepted Mr. Dattani's decision to step down as chief commissioner. As I have said, maintaining the confidence of all Canadians in the Canadian Human Rights Commission remains my top priority."

The lengthy report details 14 allegations levied against Dattani, including comments he made on social media and elsewhere under the name Mujahid Dattani.

The law firm that conducted the investigation did not find any indication that Dattani harboured or harbours antisemitic beliefs, or any evidence that he has unconscious or conscious biases toward Jews or Israelis.

However, the firm did find that his explanation for not including the name Mujahid Dattani on his application and background check "lacks credibility."

Instead, he provided the name Birju Mujahid Dattani, despite appearing on several panels and on social media using the first name Mujahid.

"On a balance of probabilities and based on the totality of evidence, we find that Mr. Dattani intentionally omitted the reference to 'Mujahid Dattani' on the background check consent form (and elsewhere) and at no time in the application or interview process disclosed that, in the past, he had used the name 'Mujahid Dattani,'" the investigative report states.

After receiving the findings, Virani told Dattani in a letter on July 31 that the results of the investigation raised serious concerns about his candour during the appointment process.

Dattani was due to start in the role last Thursday, but agreed to take a leave while Virani considered how he should respond.

"I remain a steadfast believer in the commission's work, mandate and its importance to our democracy," Dattani said in a statement Monday. 

Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman welcomed the news, but called it overdue.

"Dattani’s past writings were easily discoverable with a simple Google search," Lantsman said in a post on X.

"Either the political staff in the Trudeau government failed to do such a rudimentary search, or they found that material and viewed the comments as not problematic."

She called for a "full, free, and fair investigation" into how the appointment happened in the first place. 

The process to appoint a new chief commissioner will begin "as soon as possible," Virani said in a statement. His office said he would provide no further comment Monday. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Attempted robbery at UBC

Attempted robbery at UBC
Mounties at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver are searching for a suspect after an attempted robbery with a weapon. Police say officers responded to an assault near the school's Rose Garden parking structure around 1:30 p-m yesterday, and found a victim suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

Attempted robbery at UBC

Work pauses on Calgary water pipe after injuries; consumption continues to rise

Work pauses on Calgary water pipe after injuries; consumption continues to rise
Repairs to a fractured Calgary water pipe were paused Thursday after two workers were injured at the site, while the city's mayor pleaded with residents to step up their conservation efforts. Gondek said daily water use increased by another eight million litres on Wednesday.

Work pauses on Calgary water pipe after injuries; consumption continues to rise

Tech summit coming to Vancouver

Tech summit coming to Vancouver
Global technology conference Web Summit is headed to Vancouver next May. Destination Vancouver says it expects the event to generate 172-million dollars in direct spending and 279-million dollars in overall economic impact for B-C over three years.

Tech summit coming to Vancouver

Joly crafting 'Arctic foreign policy' amid regional tensions, not a full strategy

Joly crafting 'Arctic foreign policy' amid regional tensions, not a full strategy
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is readying an "Arctic foreign policy" aimed at preparing for a more tense time in international relations. Joly tells Bloomberg News that this will involve working closely with NATO peers, including Finland and Sweden, who recently joined the military alliance.

Joly crafting 'Arctic foreign policy' amid regional tensions, not a full strategy

Court-imposed deadline to pass new citizenship law approaching next week

Court-imposed deadline to pass new citizenship law approaching next week
The federal government has just a week left to make key changes to the Citizenship Act in response to a court ruling last year. The Ontario Superior Court has not yet agreed to extend the looming deadline, the Immigration Department said Wednesday, and NDP attempts to rush legislation through the House of Commons have failed. 

Court-imposed deadline to pass new citizenship law approaching next week

B.C. sets minimum wage, other rules for app-based ride-hailing, delivery work

B.C. sets minimum wage, other rules for app-based ride-hailing, delivery work
British Columbia has finalized regulations to provide a minimum-wage and basic protections for ride-hailing and delivery workers using app-based platforms such as Uber, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes. The Ministry of Labour says in a statement the regulations that will take effect on Sept. 3 are a first in Canada.

B.C. sets minimum wage, other rules for app-based ride-hailing, delivery work