Evidence of meeting #78 for Canadian Heritage in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crime.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Reuven Bulka  Congregation Machzikei Hadas, As an Individual
Michael Mostyn  Chief Executive Officer, National Office, B'nai Brith Canada
David Matas  Senior Legal Counsel, National Office, B'nai Brith Canada
Shimon Fogel  Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
Tamara Thomas  Policy Researcher and Analyst, African Canadian Legal Clinic
Sikander Hashmi  Spokesperson, Canadian Council of Imams

5:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Thank you very much.

I go to Ms. Kwan for the final three minutes.

5:40 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Thank you very much.

I would like to build on that, because I think the suggestion, and rightly so, is that those of us in a leadership position ought to be taking action. There was some criticism from previous panels and witnesses that we haven't done enough.

To that end, on the issue around fake news, on the issue around the spread of—for lack of a better word—hate in the social media network, do you have suggestions? What are the top three things that are incumbent on us to do as political leaders across all parties? Can you share that with us, if you have some thoughts on that aspect?

5:40 p.m.

Spokesperson, Canadian Council of Imams

Sikander Hashmi

Absolutely. Number one, when it happens, call it out. Don't accept it. We know that political candidates and members of Parliament have Facebook pages. Let's face it: we all have people in our communities who are sometimes just categorized as loonies, haters, radicals, or whatever it may be. It applies equally to me, as well, as a faith leader. If there is someone in my community who is spreading hate or sharing messages that are inappropriate, whether it's on my Facebook page or anywhere else where I have control, it's my responsibility to call it out and to take action.

In my view, there should be zero tolerance for any type of hate, and for political leaders, I would say, the bar should probably be set a bit higher. If there's anyone who's spewing comments that are derogatory, spreading conspiracies that are unfounded, or spreading rumours, take action. Don't let it happen on your watch. That's number one.

Number two is to have training for your volunteers and your staff so they also know what's appropriate and what's not, and also so they understand the importance and the power of their words.

Third, bring in people from different communities to come and just talk to share their perspectives, because we've all got some learning to do, and you may disagree with what you hear. I go to churches, different places of worship, and different agencies to make presentations. I tell people that they may disagree with me 100%, and I have no problem with that, but I just want to share my perspective so you know where I'm coming from, and I also want to know where you're coming from.

Those are the baby steps that we can all take to start building understanding and respect for diversity.

5:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

You have 30 seconds.

5:40 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Do you have any last words, Ms. Thomas?

5:40 p.m.

Policy Researcher and Analyst, African Canadian Legal Clinic

Tamara Thomas

I will say that consultations like these meetings are fundamental because, really, there can be a disconnect between what you believe is happening from the higher-up levels and what's actually happening. It's important to understand that. I think everyone here knows this, but I will say that it's important to understand that sometimes policies, programs, and processes don't have the impact they're supposed to have. The intent is there, but it's not intent, it's the effect, and—

5:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Thank you, Ms. Thomas. I'm sorry, but we have to go to votes.

I just want to thank both Ms. Thomas and Imam Hashmi for being here, for giving us a lot of food for thought and good recommendations, broad-based and general, in terms of the nature of where we should be going.

Thank you again.

This meeting is adjourned.