National

Minister sorry for 'crappy piece of land' remark that angered pro-Palestinian groups

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Feb, 2024 04:36 PM

British Columbia's Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson has apologized for saying Israel was founded on a "crappy piece of land," remarks that have angered pro-Palestinian groups and others and triggered calls for her resignation.

Robinson said in a social media post on Thursday that her comments were "disrespectful," and she was referring to the land having limited natural resources.

She made the original remarks in an online panel discussion with Jewish politicians hosted by B'nai Brith Canada.

Video of the discussion streamed on YouTube on Tuesday shows Robinson lamenting a lack of knowledge about the origins of modern Israel, saying the land on which it was founded "had nothing on it," before adding that there were "several hundred thousand people."

connection Palestinians also have to the land. I regret what I said and I apologize without reservation.
— Selina Robinson (@selinarobinson) February 2, 2024

Groups including Independent Jewish Voices Canada have called for Robinson to resign over the remarks.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has meanwhile called on Robinson to quit for an alleged intervention that led to the termination of a college instructor who had praised the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says

The Liberals promised a stand-alone dental insurance plan for low- and middle-income Canadians who don't have private insurance as part of its supply and confidence deal with the NDP last year.

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders

The Canadian government on Tuesday introduced a public policy that will be beneficial for immigrants, including those from India, to boost their career, job prospects, and chances of permanent residency.

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $625 million of funding to help provinces and territories build child-care infrastructure. Trudeau says the money will be rolled out over four years and will help providers renovate, retrofit and build new not-for-profit and public child-care facilities.

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

In a survey of 1,512 Canadian adults, Leger found that only 23 per cent would pass the citizenship test, based on their answers to 10 randomly selected questions. People who wish to become Canadian need to answer 20 questions about citizens' rights and responsibilities, as well as Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

Canadian wildfires send smoke south, triggering air quality warnings

Canadian wildfires are continuing to send heavy clouds of smoke south, from Northern Ontario and Quebec, through both provinces and into the United States. Environment Canada has issued special air quality statements for large areas of Ontario and Quebec warning of high levels of air pollution due to the smoke.

Canadian wildfires send smoke south, triggering air quality warnings

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972

Statistics Canada says the country welcomed more than 145,000 immigrants during the first three months of the year. That's the highest number for a single quarter on record, since comparable data became available in 1972.