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e-4115 (Social affairs and equality)

E-petition
Initiated by R. Michael Teper from Toronto, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

Whereas:
  • The Department of Canadian Heritage engaged the Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC) to engage in a series of anti-racism conferences entitled “Building an Anti-Racism Strategy for Canadian Broadcasting: Conversation & Convergence”, though one of the principal consultants of the CMAC involved in the engagement has an extensive social media history of posting hateful remarks;
  • It has been reported in the National Post and other nationwide media that Anthony Housefather MP alerted the Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, about the consultant’s social media records a considerable time before the matter became common public knowledge, but that the minister inexplicably failed to take timely action; and
  • Only a public inquiry, with compulsory document production and evidence taken under oath, can satisfy the Canadian public as to who in the government knew about the consultant’s history of racism and hatred, and why they failed to act promptly and decisively.
We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion to establish, without delay, a departmental investigation under Part II of the Inquiries Act, to make the proceedings, evidence obtained, and records of the investigation public, and for the investigation to conclude and publicly report to the minister within six months of its establishment.

Response by the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Paul Chiang

The Government would like to thank the petitioners for their request.

The Government of Canada is steadfast in its position that racism and hate have no place in Canada.  The antisemitic statements and other racial slurs used by Laith Marouf are vile, and the Government condemns them in the strongest possible terms. 

Racism and hatred, in any form, are unacceptable and have no place in Canada. It runs counter to the values and spirit of a diverse and inclusive society. 

The Department of Canadian Heritage is working actively to enhance and improve protocols and processes to help ensure that organizations and individuals that espouse racist, antisemitic and other forms of hateful content will not be eligible to receive government funding.

The Department has undertaken a comprehensive review of the funding programs that support Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy including how applications are assessed, attestations to be signed by applicants, and provisions in funding agreements.    

In addition, all organizations and individuals that are found to work against the goals which underpin Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act will be ineligible for funding through the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Additional training has been given to Program advisors on the new protocols and processes, as well as on anti-racism and antisemitism, including awareness of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This training was developed and provided with the support and guidance of the Honourable Irwin Cotler, Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism.

All these new measures have been informed by working closely with the Jewish community and community leaders, as well as Members of Parliament. The Government thanks them for their advocacy and ensuring all voices were reflected in our efforts.

The Government is committed to fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate.  From the appointment of the Honourable Irwin Cotler as Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, to holding Canada’s first ever National Summit on Antisemitism, the Government of Canada has been working closely with the Jewish community to ensure their voices are heard and reflected in our actions. This year’s Budget announced important supports for the construction of the new Montreal Holocaust Museum, as well as for the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre.

The Government is committed to renewing Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, which will be informed by communities who continue to face racism, hate and discrimination.  Together, we must continue to work towards the vision of an inclusive, equitable and anti-racist society.

                                                                                                                                                                                       

Open for signature
September 1, 2022, at 9:06 a.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
October 1, 2022, at 9:06 a.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill)
October 7, 2022 (Petition No. 441-00752)
Government response tabled
November 21, 2022
Photo - Melissa Lantsman
Thornhill
Conservative Caucus
Ontario