Evidence of meeting #107 for Justice and Human Rights in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was islamophobia.
A recording is available from Parliament.
General Manager, Toronto Islamic Centre and Community Services
Hatred should not be incited, but I have to look at the bill to respond to that.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Thank you.
Ms. Shilbayeh, what do you think? In your opinion, should the prohibition against fomenting hatred be subject to an exception if based on a religious text, or should we abolish this exception?
Ms. Shilbayeh, did you hear my question?
Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia
Yes. Unfortunately, I'm not too familiar with the bill so I'm not able to give a proper answer, but hate should not lead to violence [Technical difficulty—Editor].
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Thank you very much.
For the final couple of minutes, because Mr. Garrison is okay with not doing a full five minutes, I'll hand it over to him.
Go ahead, please, Mr. Garrison.
NDP
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to return to something I mentioned earlier. One of our witnesses from a previous session reported to me that disadvantageous action was threatened against them as a result of their appearing before the committee. This witness does not wish to be identified publicly at this point. My office is working with them.
If this threat continues, I will bring the appropriate motion regarding contempt of Parliament before this committee. The testimony of witnesses is protected, and they must not suffer adverse consequences from an appearance here.
I would just like the committee to know that this has happened. I also don't wish to put that witness at further risk, if we can solve this problem before it goes any further. I just want the committee to be aware that this has happened. If it does not cease—the people who know about this can hear me—I will bring in a motion to committee regarding contempt of Parliament.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Madam Chair, I'd like to note that this has happened at other committees that I've been part of, such as the Subcommittee on International Human Rights. It's on the record that Mehmet Toti, who is a Uyghur advocate, was threatened in advance of his testimony. I think we need to take these sorts of threats to life, or the life of a loved one, very seriously. They have happened to him in the past. He's been on the record as such.
I think these points are important. We call our witnesses here to testify freely.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Thank you very much.
Witnesses, thank you very much for coming today. Again, all members appreciate very much your being candid and appearing with us. If there is anything you feel you can contribute to us that you were asked and were not able to fully respond to, please send in your answers.
That brings me to what I need to ask the committee about. I'm proposing that the date of Friday, June 21, be the deadline for briefs for the study of anti-Islamophobia. I want to put on the record that June 21 will be the deadline for anybody to submit any briefs for this study. I think the reminder was that they are to be three pages in length.
That brings us to the end of our committee.
Witnesses, thank you very much.
Members, thank you very much. Does anybody have their hand up based on what I said?
Mr. Garrison.
NDP
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC
I think we need to be careful about the deadline given the holiday.
NDP
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC
We're talking about the national day for reconciliation, which is an official national holiday. I just want to make sure there's no conflict with the dates we're setting.
I'm sorry. I wasn't listening carefully enough.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
I think people can submit until June 21. If there's anything wrong with that date, we'll move it to June 20 or 22. I'll come back on Thursday after I hear from the analysts and the clerk. It's not for the committee. It's for the submission to the House of Commons. It's not coming to me personally. I hope I won't be here.
We will continue with our study on Thursday morning.
I wish you all a good day.
We are adjourned.