Watching her apologize is not support. It is cowardice.
Amira Elghawaby was speaking to the evidence supported by data. Why does she need to apologize?
Nothing the PM does surprises me.
I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with our current Prime Minister. All documented in the final chapters of my book, Can You Hear Me Now? So, the latest controversy around Canada’s newly appointed Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Almira Elghawaby, does not surprise me.
Now before anyone gets upset about my criticism of the PM’s response, and believes that I have some sort of beef with him, let me get a couple of things straight. Primarily, Trudeau is the leader of a G7 country. He is not the barista at the local coffee shop. His citizens should hold him to account. When he makes mistakes, he can’t just add extra foam. His mistakes come with costs. People get hurt, or worse. I have no problem holding him to account for his action or inaction. Our democracy (stemming from the Greek words "demos", meaning people, and "kratos" meaning power) will be better for it.
One of the most powerful men in the country is the Prime Minister, a self-declared feminist, who believes that “diversity is our strength”.
Secondly, please remember that women, especially women of colour, and more precisely Black and Indigenous women, in public roles who face the brunt of the vitriol online and in the public. If women, like Ms. Elghawaby, are put in roles where they are expected to advise, challenge, and provide input on controversial or challenging subjects, and more importantly, expected to do their jobs properly, they need to be protected. One of the most powerful men in the country is the Prime Minister, a self-declared feminist (there is so much to unpack in that awful video, but I digress), who believes that “diversity is our strength”. Shouldn’t he be first in line to protect her? I think so. He should not put his tail between his legs and pander or cower to bullies.
Lastly, Ms. Elghawaby is not supposed to start work for another couple weeks. The Prime Minister, PMO, and any other person working on this appointment would have seen this controversy coming a mile away. They would have known that Ms. Elghawaby would have been thrown into the fire immediately. Why make the appointment, and then leave her to linger in the fire for close to three weeks? Are you telling me that Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who was “deeply hurt” by the comments, did not know this was coming down the pipe? Give me a f*cking break.
Now, with this backdrop in mind, let’s get to the point. During the January 26, 2023 appointment of Ms. Elghawaby, PM Justin Trudeau said, ““Diversity truly is one of Canada’s greatest strengths, but for many Muslims, Islamophobia is all too familiar. We need to change that. No one in our country should experience hatred because of their faith.” He then went on to say, “I look forward to working with her as we continue building a country where everyone feels safe and respected.” Less than a week later, she is under fire. I am quite sure that Ms. Elghawaby does not feel safe or respected.
Ms. Elghawaby came under fire for comment she made in 2019 related to Quebec’s Bill 21, stating that the “the majority of Quebecers appear to be swayed not by the rule of law, but by anti-Muslim sentiment.” For those who do not know of Bill 21, it is a piece of Quebec legislation passed on June 16, 2019, that used a Constitutional loophole to “prohibit the display of religious symbols by public-sector workers in the workplace.” It was promoted by supporters as a piece of legislation that would unite Quebecers, but was essentially a document that legalized discrimination.
Ms. Elghawaby’s 2019 comments stem from a poll conducted by Léger Marketing which stated that people in Quebec had negative feelings about Islam, and that 88 percent of those people supported the bill. One should note that this support was only slightly higher than in the rest of Canada, especially among those with unfavorable views towards Muslims. Reactions to other religions were much more positive.
The Prime Minister was dancing on a tightrope, saying just the right things to somewhat support Ms. Elghawaby, while trying not to hold his constituency of Quebec to account. What he should have done instead was support her. He should have read the results of the poll and spoken to the evidence. He had an opportunity to speak to all Canadians and give them a gut check on their own biases and discrimination. If 2020 was a call to action around racial and social justice, Justin Trudeau, and the Liberal Party, did not hear it.
My advice to Ms. Elghawaby? Tell the Minister Rodrigues and Blanchet that you would like to meet with them, but only in their constituency offices, located in Quebec.