As a Quebecer, I was deeply hurt by his comments, and I still am, Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez responded Tuesday to earlier comments by Ms Elghawaby that he wanted a majority of Quebecers to be guided by anti-Muslim sentiment. After asking her to retract her comments, Minister Rodriguez said he wanted to meet her in the coming days.
Amira Elghawaby’s explicit clarifications also failed to convince Justice Minister David Lametti, who was questioned on the issue on Tuesday’s arrival on Parliament Hill. I do not agree with the original comments, I do not share this opinion, but as I said, it is up to you to clarify, replied Mr Lametti, indicating that the explanations given were not sufficient.
Ahmed Hussen, Secretary of State for Housing, Diversity and Inclusion, was asked about other recently unearthed comments Ms Elghawaby made in the 2013 Toronto Star in an op-ed titled The “other” has no place in Quebec’s charter of values in the Quebec Charter of Values).
She then took up a quote from the Canadian essayist John Ralston Saul, according to which the paranoid fears of the 20th century. Ms. Elghawaby analyzed at the time that he might as well write about modern-day Québec.
Amira Elghawaby is the federal government’s special representative for combating Islamophobia. (file photo)
Photo: CBC
Minister Hussen initially avoided commenting on these statements, arguing that he was still examining these statements before supporting Amira Elghawaby in her line of defence. She specified her statements on Islamophobia and the fight against Islamophobia, the minister summed up, clearly annoyed.
Last Friday, a day after her appointment as Ottawa’s special envoy in the fight against Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby actually clarified her thoughts on her earlier statements by saying she doesn’t believe Quebecers are Islamophobic.
The controversy followed the publication of a text in La Presse recalling the contents of a letter Ms Elghawaby published in the Ottawa Citizen in 2019, following Quebec’s Respect for State Secularism Act (aka Bill 21).
He’s the right person, says Trudeau
The Prime Minister of Canada seemed undeterred by the controversy surrounding the appointment. I support Ms Elghawaby 100%, Justin Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday upon arriving at the cabinet.
During her years of work, she has shown a sensitivity, openness and rigor that we need now, he argued.
I understand that dealing with Islamophobia will require important and sometimes difficult conversations, but we need someone who knows, who is deeply rooted, and I know that is the right person,” added the Prime Minister.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet will have the opportunity to speak to Amira Elghawaby in person, as she has agreed to meet him on Wednesday, as he requested during Monday’s question time in the community hall.
Mr Blanchet then said a meeting would be useful to try and understand.
Twenty-four hours later, however, his tone has changed. More succinctly, he said Tuesday that Ms. Elghawaby’s appointment was very unflattering to Quebec. An exchange on Quebec history and secularism is beneficial [elle]he added.
Unanimous motion in the National Assembly
Late Tuesday afternoon, Quebec lawmakers unanimously passed a motion calling, among other things, for the National Assembly to ask the federal government to end Amira Elghawaby’s mandate as Canada’s special envoy to fight Islamophobia.
Only the 11 Quebec Solidaire MPs abstained on the CAQ motion tabled by Quebec Minister for Secularism and Canadian Relations Jean-François Roberge.
I think the National Assembly has sent a very strong message to the Canadian government, he said as he exited the Blue Room, having called for Ms Elghawaby’s resignation the day before.
“Ms Elghawaby unfortunately does not have the legitimacy, does not have the support of the National Assembly to do this work. I reiterate the position of the government and Quebecers: Justin Trudeau must remove her from office. »
— A quote from Jean-François Roberge, Minister for Secularism and Canadian Relations in Quebec
Earlier Tuesday, Quebec Premier Francois Legault, who was heavily criticized by Amira Elghawaby for refusing to recognize systemic racism in Quebec, again attacked the appointment of the new adviser.
By keeping them in office, Mr. Trudeau is encouraging contempt for Quebecers, Mr. Legault pointed out.
She didn’t apologize, he added. I can’t believe Mr. Trudeau supports her 100% after everything she’s said, after all the contempt she’s shown for Quebecers.
Quebec Premier François Legault
Photo: Radio Canada / Sylvain Roy Roussel
On the side of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), interim leader Marc Tanguay said Tuesday again that Ms Elghawaby should apologize quickly because time is running out.
He had made the same request in a Twitter post the day before.
However, the PLQ appears to have screwed up its positions: MP Jennifer Maccarone supported Ms Elghawaby’s appointment on Twitter on Monday, contradicting Mr Tanguay’s statements. This publication earned him the rebuff of his boss.