National

Selina Robinson quits B.C. NDP, citing antisemitism in caucus

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Mar, 2024 05:16 PM

Former British Columbia cabinet minister Selina Robinson has quit the NDP, citing antisemitism in the ruling party's caucus.

Robinson, who is Jewish, says she can no longer remain in the party because it is not properly addressing antisemitism in the province or among her former colleagues.

Robinson told an impromptu news conference in a hallway of the B.C. legislature that she will now sit as an Independent.

She resigned her cabinet post as minister of post-secondary education last month after saying modern Israel was founded on "a crappy piece of land."

The Jan. 30 remarks sparked an outcry from pro-Palestinian groups that called them racist and Islamophobic.

Robinson, who has also previously served as finance minister, says she hasn't heard from Premier David Eby or any other members of the NDP caucus since informing them of her decision.

Eby said last month that Robinson's "belittling" remarks were incompatible with her remaining in cabinet.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Millennials outnumber baby boomers in Canada as immigration slows population aging

Statistics Canada says there are now more millennials than baby boomers in the country, ending the 65-year reign of the post-Second World War generation as the largest cohort in the population. The federal agency noted the change in its newly released population estimate for July 1, 2023, broken down by age and gender.

Millennials outnumber baby boomers in Canada as immigration slows population aging

Driver speeding in bus lane in North Vancouver is issued $1,500 fine

RCMP in North Vancouver say a $1,500 fine was handed out to a driver caught speeding down a bus lane. Police credit the discreet and quick actions of an officer on a motorcycle for nabbing and ticketing a driver last October.

Driver speeding in bus lane in North Vancouver is issued $1,500 fine

RCMP see no foreign interference as two teenagers charged over Surrey shooting

Two 16-year-old youths were arrested on Feb. 12 and are being held in custody as they await their next court appearance. RCMP say the BC Prosecution Service approved charges of discharging a firearm into a place and possessing a loaded prohibited firearm.

RCMP see no foreign interference as two teenagers charged over Surrey shooting

B.C. New Democrat government makes pledges to homebuyers, renters, in throne speech

British Columbia's New Democrat government is pledging more homes for first-time buyers and eviction protection for renters in a throne speech that promises affordability measures in this week's budget. The throne speech, read in the legislature by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, says the government is putting forward a vision where everyone can get ahead and no one is left behind

B.C. New Democrat government makes pledges to homebuyers, renters, in throne speech

RCMP ask prosecutors to consider charge in B.C. crane collapse that killed 5

RCMP investigators have asked British Columbia prosecutors to consider criminal charges in a July 2021 construction crane collapse that killed five people in the Interior city of Kelowna. Kelowna Mounties say a report has been submitted "for charge assessment for criminal negligence causing death."

RCMP ask prosecutors to consider charge in B.C. crane collapse that killed 5

Trudeau boosts B.C.'s housing plan with $2 billion in federal financing

The federal government is doubling the financing available for a British Columbia housing plan the prime minister called "transformative." Justin Trudeau was in Vancouver on Tuesday to announce that his government was adding another $2 billion in financing to the province's BC Builds plan aimed at constructing more middle-income rental housing.