MPs debate anti-Islamophobia motion
By Laura Payton
CTV News | February 15, 2017
OTTAWA – MPs started the formal debate Wednesday night on a binding motion to condemn Islamophobia and systemic racism that’s created controversy over concerns about free speech.
Motion 103, which Liberal MP Iqra Khalid proposed last December, would “condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination” and ask a House committee to study how the government could reduce systemic racism, collect additional data for hate crimes reports, and report back to the House wiithin eight months.
Speaking in the House Wednesday night, Khalid said she doesn’t understand why anyone would oppose it.
“Islamophobia is the irrational hate of Muslims that leads to discrimination,” Khalid said. “With that definition in mind,” she added, “I find hard to believe that any member of this House would vote against a motion that condemns this.”
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The National Council of Canadian Muslims has called on MPs to vote in favour of Khalid’s motion, particularly in the wake of a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City, which killed six people.