Mr. Speaker, Canada is a tolerant and accepting nation, but the one thing that must never be tolerated is religious and cultural discrimination.
The decision by the Quebec Soccer Federation to ban Sikh kids from taking part in soccer for wearing a turban is outrageous and contrary to the values of equality that our nation holds dear.
Directly because of this ban, over 200 Sikh kids are banned from playing organized soccer in Quebec.
The Canadian Soccer Association has suspended the Quebec Soccer Federation from all national games because of this ban.
I applaud those who have voiced their opposition to this unfair and offensive policy in the interest of fairness and equality, including the Dollard Soccer Club, the Pierrefonds Soccer Association, and the under-14 Brossard soccer team.
I would like to call upon all of my hon. colleagues to join with me in condemning this discriminatory policy by the Quebec Soccer Federation.