We were informed that there were consultations done with the Palestinian and Arab communities. However, we don't know who was consulted as part of the consultations around the Canadian anti-racism strategy. I am not aware of which groups or which individuals they spoke to. No one has come forward to say that they have actually met with the ministry. I have had discussions with the ministry to reinforce the importance of recognizing anti-Palestinian racism and to express what was happening to our community and our allies in our community, but that was not part of the formal consultation process.
What we find really puzzling, however, is that the anti-racism strategy recognizes in three instances that Palestinians have experienced an unprecedented level of hate in Canada. However, the strategy then does not go forward into recognizing anti-Palestinian racism as a distinct form of racism.