Question Period Note: Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia

Notice of Appointment Opportunity for the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia

• The Government of Canada stands with and supports Muslim communities across Canada and reaffirms its commitment to take action to denounce and tackle Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence as part of our broader action against racism.

• On June 6, 2022, we announced that the launch of a Notice of Appointment Opportunity on the Governor in Council website, for the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, inviting applicants to submit their candidacy for this important role.

• The Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia will serve as a champion, advisor, expert, and representative to the Canadian government, for the purpose of enhancing efforts to combat Islamophobia and to promote awareness of the diverse and intersectional identities of Muslims in Canada.

• As defined in Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, Islamophobia includes racism, stereotypes, prejudice, fear or acts of hostility directed towards individual Muslims or followers of Islam in general.

• Recent years have seen a marked rise in anti-Muslim sentiment, hate crimes against Muslims and Islamophobia in Canada. Attacks on mosques, overt discrimination against people wearing Islamic symbols and dress.

• The tragic June 6, 2021, attack on a Muslim Canadian family demonstrated the need for urgent action to combat Islamophobia.

• On July 22, 2021, the Government of Canada hosted a National Summit on Islamophobia, which identified ways the federal government could work with Muslim communities to implement federal anti-racism initiatives that specifically address Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence.

• Last year, the Government of Canada established January 29 as a National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia.

• On June 6, 2022, the federal government announced the Notice of Appointment Opportunity, which invites applicants to submit their candidacy for the new position of special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia.

• To push back against religious discrimination, hateful rhetoric and racism at home, Budget 2022 proposes new resources to support the new Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia.

• The Special Representative will be an additional step in the Government’s ongoing work through Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy to tackle Islamophobia in all its forms.

• Budget 2022 proposes to provide $85 million over four years, starting in 2022-2023, to support the work underway to launch a new Anti-Racism Strategy and National Action Plan on Combatting Hate.

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