Labeaume still uncomfortable with the idea of a day against islamophobia

Photo Stevens LeBlanc
The mayor of Québec, Régis Labeaume

Pierre-Paul Biron

Thursday, 1 February 2018 14:42

UPDATE
Thursday, 1 February 2018 14:42

Look at this article

Régis Labeaume remains uncomfortable with the idea of establishing a national day against islamophobia, but would not object to her outfit if ever the federal government chose to follow the recommendations made in that direction on Thursday by the Committee of canadian heritage.

“He just needs to think of the world. This is tricky stuff. What is the outcome that we are seeking? It is more tolerance and less xenophobia and less racism. Now what is the solutions? Is it really a day? It is fun for a day, but is this that it gives results”, has questioned the mayor yesterday by learning the conclusions of the report of a committee of the canadian heritage.

Régis Labeaume therefore remains of the same opinion as during the initial proposal of the national Council of canadian muslims (CNMC) a few weeks ago. For the rest of the things, he relies on the decision of the federal government.

“I said what I thought. […] For the rest, they can do the days they want. I think Justin [Trudeau] is in favour of it, but he didn’t ask me my opinion on it. It is the prime minister and I, I am the mayor of the city. This will be his decision,” said Mr. Labeaume.

“Islamophobia and any other form of religious discrimination”

The findings that the January 29, has become a national day of action against islamophobia are derived from a report filed Thursday by the standing Committee on canadian heritage. The agency proposes to appoint as the commemoration of “national Day of remembrance and activities relating to islamophobia and any other form of religious discrimination”.

The committee undertook this study after the adoption, in march last, the controversial motion M103, the liberal mp Iqra Khalid. The motion proposed, in particular, that the House of commons condemns “islamophobia and all forms of racism”.

The report filed Thursday morning brings water to the mill of many muslim organizations in the country. The national Council of canadian muslims (CNMC) has questioned Justin Trudeau at the beginning of January to the date of the attack that six dead at the mosque of Quebec last year to become the national Day of remembrance and action against islamophobia.

The Trudeau government has not been whether he would gain access to this request, saying only that it was in the reflection.

Critical

The report of the heritage committee is not unanimous. The conservative minority on the committee, submitted a report dissenting, in which they state that on the 29th of January, should rather be designated “national Day of solidarity with the victims of acts of intolerance and violence-religious”.

According to the opposition official, the term islamophobia is not inclusive enough.

– With the collaboration of the QMI Agency