Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Commons Votes By 2-1 Margin To Pass Motion Condemning Islamophobia

Darpan News Desk IANS, 24 Mar, 2017 01:04 PM
    OTTAWA — The House of Commons has passed a Liberal backbencher's motion calling on federal politicians to condemn Islamophobia.
     
    The motion, known as M-103, became a matter of acrimonious debate, with opponents painting it as a slippery slope towards limiting freedom of speech and even bringing in Sharia law.
     
    Liberals and Conservatives accused one another of playing politics with the rising tide of prejudice and hate crimes facing Canadian Muslims.
     
    MPs adopted the motion by a margin of 201-91.
     
    Liberal MP Iqra Khalid, who sponsored the motion, was applauded loudly by her Liberal fellows as she stood to vote.
     
    The issue even became a bone of contention among Conservative leadership hopefuls.
     
    Candidate Michael Chong voted in favour, while rivals Andrew Scheer, Steven Blaney, Brad Trost, Kellie Leitch, Erin O'Toole and Maxime Bernier voted against.
     
    The motion called on the Commons to condemn Islamophobia and "all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination.'' It asked that a Commons committee study how the government can eliminate the problem and collect data on hate crimes.
     
     
    Last month, the Conservatives proposed their own alternative motion, which was virtually identical except it dropped the word Islamophobia. The Liberals defeated it, contending that it was aimed at watering down Khalid's motion.
     
    Conservative MPs argued that the undefined term Islamophobia could be construed to mean any criticism of Islam. Some also contended that the motion singles out one religion.
     
    Khalid — who endured a barrage of public criticism, some of it offensive and racist, on social media amid the controversy — stoutly defended her motion through its torturous progress through the Commons.
     
    She denounced the claim that the motion would result in Sharia law being imposed in Canada as "outrageous.''
     
    "M-103 does not give one religion or community special privilege over another,'' she told the House. "M-103 will not restrict free speech. This motion is not legally binding.''
     
    The NDP joined the Liberals in approving the motion, but earlier, New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan denounced both Liberals and Conservatives for playing political games on the issue.
     
    "Frankly, that kind of fear-mongering and political gamesmanship served only to feed into the increasingly polarized climate surrounding this conversation instead of setting the example that is so desperately needed,'' she said.
     
     
    Approval of the motion in the Commons on Thursday came a month after the Ontario legislature unanimously adopted a similar position.
     
    The motion from Liberal backbencher Nathalie Des Rosiers called on the legislature to "stand against all forms of hatred, hostility, prejudice, racism and intolerance,'' rebuke a "growing tide of anti-Muslim rhetoric and sentiments'' and condemn all forms of Islamophobia.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    New Brunswick Police Probing Mass Email Containing Sexual Images Of Student

    New Brunswick Police Probing Mass Email Containing Sexual Images Of Student
    RCMP Staff Sgt. Eric Larose said police received numerous complaints from University of Moncton students between Saturday and Sunday.

    New Brunswick Police Probing Mass Email Containing Sexual Images Of Student

    B.C. Health Coalition Wants Ban On Paid Plasma Clinics, Minister Won't Commit

    VICTORIA — British Columbia's government is under pressure to join Ontario and Quebec and prevent clinics that pay for blood products from launching new operations in the province.

    B.C. Health Coalition Wants Ban On Paid Plasma Clinics, Minister Won't Commit

    'Why's That Thing In Church?’: Indian Priest Says Women Who Wear Jeans Should Be Drowned

    'Why's That Thing In Church?’: Indian Priest Says Women Who Wear Jeans Should Be Drowned
     Kerala Priest's Rant Against Women Is Viral - Video of priest speaking on women wearing jeans in Church was uploaded on YouTube 11 months ago.

    'Why's That Thing In Church?’: Indian Priest Says Women Who Wear Jeans Should Be Drowned

    Spring Is Coming, But Winter Has 'a Little Bit Of Bite Left,' Forecaster Says

    Spring Is Coming, But Winter Has 'a Little Bit Of Bite Left,' Forecaster Says
    The Weather Network spring forecast calls for Canadians to expect more storms before the wintry weather ends.

    Spring Is Coming, But Winter Has 'a Little Bit Of Bite Left,' Forecaster Says

    Assault Charge Stayed For Northern B.C. Politician Pat Pimm

    VICTORIA — An assault charge against a member of the B.C. legislature has been stayed, the province's Criminal Justice Branch said Monday.

    Assault Charge Stayed For Northern B.C. Politician Pat Pimm

    Canoeist Missing, Presumed Drowned, After Falling Into Lake Near Nanaimo, B.C.

    Canoeist Missing, Presumed Drowned, After Falling Into Lake Near Nanaimo, B.C.
    NANAIMO, B.C. — RCMP say dive teams were planning to search Westwood Lake in Nanaimo, B.C., looking for any sign of a missing man.

    Canoeist Missing, Presumed Drowned, After Falling Into Lake Near Nanaimo, B.C.