Close X
Saturday, September 21, 2024
ADVT 
National

MPs move to convene emergency Islamophobia summit

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Jun, 2021 11:26 AM
  • MPs move to convene emergency Islamophobia summit

Federal lawmakers are calling on the government to convene an emergency summit on Islamophobia by the end of July.

In the House of Commons today, MPs unanimously passed an NDP motion demanding the gathering in the wake of Sunday's deadly attack against a Muslim family in London, Ont.

London-Fanshawe MP Lindsay Mathyssen, who brought forward the non-binding motion, says the Liberal government needs to go beyond expressing condolences.

"A Muslim family went out for a walk, like so many families and people have been doing in this pandemic, and this family didn’t make it back home because of hate. No one should ever feel unsafe in their community and neighbourhood,” she said.

New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh says Canada must urgently address a problem with white supremacy and far-right radicalization and make policy changes at every level of government to prevent another attack.

Police allege the attack, which saw four family members driven down and killed on Sunday night, was a planned act that targeted Muslims.

The funeral for the four family members who were run over and killed is set for Saturday afternoon at the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario in London.

Relatives have identified the dead as 46-year-old Salman Afzaal, his 44-year-old wife Madiha Salman, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Salman and her 74-year-old grandmother, Talat Afzaal.

The couple's nine-year-old son, Fayez, was seriously wounded but is expected to recover.

Nathaniel Veltman faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with the attack.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Privacy must guide vaccine passports: watchdogs

Privacy must guide vaccine passports: watchdogs
Canada's privacy commissioners say respect for laws and principles governing personal information must guide introduction of proof-of-vaccination certificates that could smooth the transition to post-pandemic life.

Privacy must guide vaccine passports: watchdogs

Construction thefts spike in Vancouver: police

Construction thefts spike in Vancouver: police
Vancouver police say the department has seen a "significant increase" in break and enters at construction sites this year. Sgt. Steve Addison says in many cases the thieves have made off with thousands of dollars' worth of plywood and other building materials.

Construction thefts spike in Vancouver: police

More restrictions lifting as COVID infections slow

More restrictions lifting as COVID infections slow
Dr. David Williams said daily COVID-19 rates, hospital and intensive care admissions appeared to be trending downward, and some hospitals now had capacity to resume cancelled procedures.

More restrictions lifting as COVID infections slow

U.S. border agency says COVID vax not essential

U.S. border agency says COVID vax not essential
Canadians attempting to drive across the American border solely for a COVID-19 vaccination, even with a doctor's referral, would be denied entry, the U.S. border agency said on Wednesday. Unlike the Canadian government, Customs and Border Protection said it does not consider a vaccine essential for entry purposes.

U.S. border agency says COVID vax not essential

NDP plan to slash student debt would cost $4B: PBO

NDP plan to slash student debt would cost $4B: PBO
The New Democrats' campaign-style pledge this spring promised to cancel up to $20,000 in tuition, freeze loan payments through July 2022 and scrap interest payments, among other measures.

NDP plan to slash student debt would cost $4B: PBO

Parks Canada adapts to COVID-19 as camping starts

Parks Canada adapts to COVID-19 as camping starts
Parks have brought in some of their own measures as well to try to keep campers safe while enjoying the outdoors. "There will be, in different parks, different kinds of services," Wilkinson said.

Parks Canada adapts to COVID-19 as camping starts