We’ve just published our weekly edition of Muslims in The House for the week of April 29 - May 3, 2019!

This week’s edition covers issues relating to the Easter Attacks in Sri Lanka, Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia, Anti-Semitism, and the 2019 Floods.  

Statements on the Easter Attack in Sri Lanka and Synagogue Attack in California

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, expressed condolences to the victims of the attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. The Minister also acknowledged the synagogue attack in California, stating that houses of worship are sanctuaries where all should be free to pray in peace. The Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Scheer, also made a statement condemning both attacks. MP Scheer acknowledged previous attacks on Christians, in Pakistan in 2016 and in Egypt in 2017, as well as the attack on Muslims in New Zealand. MP Scheer reaffirmed his party’s commitment to combat all forms of hatred and injustice and to defend religious freedom. MP Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby South, BC - NDP) also extended condolences to the victims of the Sri Lankan terrorist attack and the Christian community, and the synagogue attack, acknowledging the rise of anti-semitism and the rise of hate. MP Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, MB - Cons) also condemned the attack in Sri Lanka, stating that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world. MP Bergen called for the rejection of all violence and persecution of people because of their faith. MP Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON - Libs) condemned the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka, and the synagogue attack in California and the mosque attack in New Zealand. MP Anandasangaree stated that we must work toward building societies free of racism and discrimination.

Anti Semitism

MP Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal, QC - Libs) made a statement condemning the synagogue attack in California and the rise of anti-semitism. He stated that it is reported that over 2,000 anti-Semitic incidents occurred in Canada in 2018, and called for a national action plan on anti-Semitism.

Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia

MP Guy Caron (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC - NDP) asked the government to follow-up on their statement following Jamal Khashoggi’s murder that Canada would review the permit to export arms to Saudi Arabia, pointing to other countries, like Germany, Finland and Denmark, that had halted arms exports to Saudi Arabia. MP Caron also stated the government has been silent on the 37 beheadings that took place in Saudi Arabia on April 23, which other countries have condemned. The Prime Minister condemned the Saudi executions and stated that he told Mohammad bin Salman that the executions were utterly unacceptable. The Prime Minister stated that the government is concerned about human rights in Saudi Arabia and will keep working on this issue.

2019 Floods

In light of the flooding in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick, MP Robert Aubin (Trois-Rivières, QC - NDP) asked whether the federal government will work with provinces to ensure that they can access a $200-million fund to address mapping of flood-prone areas. Ralph Goodale, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, stated that the natural disaster mitigation program has been in place for the last number of years and that the government will be making a decision about whether the program will continue. The minister acknowledged the importance of flood mapping and stated that the government will collaborate with provinces and municipalities to make sure that this service is available. MP Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, MB - Cons) asked for the government to provide an update on the current situation and outline what immediate actions are being taken to assist those who are affected by the current flooding. The Minister stated that when provinces have requested help from the federal government, they have responded quickly and positively in every case.