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Conservatives Creating Commotion over Motion-103
2-22-2017
In the Canadian Parliament, an Anti-Islamophobia Motion meets vigorous opposition from the Islamophobes among the Conservatives. What is Islamophobia? And does it exist in Canada? The Canadians need not look any further than the Canadian Parliament and observe the Conservative MP’s vehement opposition in an ensuing debate over Liberal MP Ms. Iqra Khalid and Mr. Frank Baylis Motion-103.
The Conservative Party of Canada, with the exception of handful of MP's have seized on this golden opportunity to appease their base supporters. Thus creating confusion among Canadians about Motion-103. In fact, the Conservatives absolutely callous and abhorrently despicable attempt to capitalize on this very issue – opposing M-103 – with their half-lies, half-truths, theories is, in and of itself a classic example of an act of Islamophobia.
Here is why. What is Motion-103? Well according to the official opposition’s Interim leader of the Conservative, Ms. Rona Ambrose, on February 15, 2017. She explains on her Facebook page: "I know Motion M-103 has been top of mind for many Canadians. It’s a motion introduced by Liberal MP Iqra Khalid. Here’s how I see it. To be clear, this is not a “bill” nor a “law”. It does not “introduce Sharia law” as some people have suggested nor would it “ban freedom of speech”. In fact, the motion simply requests that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage undertake a study on how the government could reduce racism and religious discrimination."
Excuse us, come again. What exactly is Ms. Ambrose's position on M-103? We repeat, "Here’s how I see it. To be clear, this is not a “bill” nor a “law”."
So why are the Conservative MP's one after another making passionate – albeit, blatantly false, utterly misleading, and absolutely baseless speeches in the House of Commons, arguing against the Motion-103, and by extension "Inciting" fears and hatred against Canadian Muslims?
Exactly, “this is not a “bill” nor a “law”." It is simply a “Motion” introduced in the House of Commons by Liberal MP, on December 6, 2016, calling on the government to “condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systematic racism and religious discrimination.” It also asks the government to “recognize the need to quell the increasing public climate of hate and fear,” and request for the “Commons heritage committee to study how the government could develop a government wide approach to reducing or eliminating systematic racism and religious discrimination, including Islamophobia, and collect data to provide context for hate crime reports and to conduct needs assessments for impacted communities.”
It is clear, the Conservatives have once again, rather than protecting minority rights have resorted to their tried, tested and true political strategy – politics of division, of fear, and of hatred – rather than doing what would otherwise be, legally, morally, and ethically, the correct thing to do – support it.
The Conservatives are clearly trying to gain mileage among its base supporters, and knowingly confusing Canadians with blatantly false and belligerently misleading propaganda against M-103.
The Conservatives are false fully drumming up fears among Canadians that if the motion passes, it will stifle freedom of speech, and will pave the way for the introduction of Sharia Law in Canada. Absolute nonsense!
Obviously, the Conservative MP’s are not paying attention to how their leader, Ms. Ambrose views the Motion-103, and have explained it on her FB page.
What Ms. Ambrose should be doing, rather than posting her position on her Facebook page. She needs to educate her own Conservative MP's, the differences between a "Bill" and a "Motion." Otherwise they will continue to mislead Canadians, fueling Islamophobia.
We can certainly argue that the Conservatives are in fact acting and behaving in a manner which could be deemed as Islamophobia. The Conservatives MP's one after another making arguments in the House of Commons, creating anxiety and fear among Canadians about impending Sharia Law, giving Canadian Muslims special privileges, stifling freedom of speech, etc etc. Meanwhile, the Interim leader of the Conservatives, Ms. Rona Ambrose, knowingly watches her MP's making baseless and false arguments in the House of Commons.
It is absolutely baffling that how can a leader of the opposition of a Federal Party in Canada, would allow her MP's to incite hatred and fear, with their half-truths, half-lies, against minorities. Especially against a minority group that is already been deemed as a marginalized minority group in Canada. Especially when just less than four months ago, her own party unanimously agreed in condemning Islamophobia.
Adding insult to injury, Ms. Ambrose, on her FB post further adds, "However, M-103 is also focused on a controversial term – “Islamophobia” – which some believe may be used to shut down legitimate debate rather than to encourage it; to intimidate rather than to inform."
This is where one must shake their heads, if not gag, because, merely four months ago, On October 26, 2016, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said in the House of Commons, “Mr. Speaker, following discussions with all parties in the House, I hope you will find consent for the following motion. I move: That the House join the 69,742 Canadian supporters of House of Commons e-petition (e-411) in condemning all forms of Islamophobia.”
All parties, including the Conservatives, unanimously, supported Mr. Mulcair's motion, thus recognizing the presence of Islamophobia in Canadian society, and condemned it. Now Ms. Ambrose and her party has, once again made an about face on a motion which they’ve agreed to in past.
However, this should not come as a surprise to any Canadians. This is not the first time when the Conservatives have tried to block passing of a motion recognizing or condemning Islamophobia. Mr. Mulcair's abovementioned Motion was initially defeated on October 6, 2016. When Mr. Mulcair presented it, all MP's yelled "Agreed" except of course handful of Conservative MP's Yelled out NO – The motion was defeated.
Furious Mr. Mulcair told reporters, “I can’t see how anybody can speak out against a motion that seeks to condemn a form of hatred,” he said. “We’re here to condemn all forms of hatred in our society, whether it’s hatred against gender identity, hatred against a person’s ethnic or cultural origin and, in this case, against people’s religions."
Well Conservatives policies when it comes to Canadian Muslims have been quiet clear – Oppose just for the sake of opposing. As Ms. Ambrose, on her FB Post after a lengthy explanation, defending her position states: “I realize that M-103 is a divisive motion, and I have indicated that I would be open to supporting this motion if amendments were introduced. If not, I will be voting no to M-103 as it is currently worded.”
Let us hope for all Canadians, sanity will prevail, and this motion will be passed.
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