愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Trudeau names Canada's first representative on combating Islamophobia

Share

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named Amira Elghawaby as Canada's first special representative on combating Islamophobia, who is tasked with aiding Ottawa in tackling hate as communities have urged the government to take action following violent attacks toward Muslims.

According to a statement from Trudeau鈥檚 office, Elghawaby will provide advice to the federal government in developing inclusive policies and programs and to support the government鈥檚 efforts in increasing public education and awareness around Islamophobia.

Human rights advocate and journalist Elghawaby was appointed following "an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process," according to the statement. She is also a founding board member of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.

鈥淒iversity truly is one of Canada鈥檚 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,鈥 Trudeau said in the press release.

Appointing a special representative was one of the recommendations made to the federal government coming out of a 2021 virtual National Summit on Islamophobia.

The summit, which had been long-called for by Muslim communities across the country, was hosted in the wake of the that killed four members of the Afzaal family in London, Ont. in June 2021. Organizations, including the National Council of Canadian Muslims, have t to dismantle white supremacist groups and address online hate.

Filling this position comes just days before the anniversary of the Jan. 29, 2017, attack on a mosque in Quebec City, which has been designated a national day of remembrance and action against Islamophobia.

Islamophobia is defined as 鈥渞acism, stereotypes, prejudice, fear, or acts of hostility鈥 against Muslims, according to Canada鈥檚 Anti-Racism Strategy. Statistics Canada shows that the number of police-reported hate crimes targeting Muslim people increased 71 per cent from the previous year

Elghawaby will be specifically tasked with advising Ottawa around policy-making and with 鈥渓egislative proposals, programs, and regulations鈥 that reflect the realities of Muslims in Canada, according to the press release.

As well, she will provide advice and guidance to ministers to 鈥渋mprove efforts to track and monitor incidents of anti-Muslim hatred and violence across Canada,鈥 and promote 鈥減ublic awareness and understanding鈥 of Muslim communities in Canada through events and commemoration.

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.

Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'

The body of a British Columbia mountain climber has been located and recovered after the 39-year-old man was reported missing during a solo climb on Washington state's Mount Baker earlier this week.

A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

A Saskatchewan man living in the United States has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography after he unknowingly provided disturbing videos to an FBI agent he thought was a pedophile.

Local Spotlight

Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's t蓹m蓹sew虛tx史 Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.

Stay Connected