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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 149

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
January 30, 2023 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 149 - Jan/30/23
Mr. Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly, BQ)
  • Jan/30/23 2:30:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am happy to be back here with you and all my colleagues. As my colleagues know, the Prime Minister made an appointment of his own, choosing Amira Elghawaby. He surely looked into her statements and positions prior to her appointment, which many perceive as very insulting to Quebec. Nevertheless, he went ahead with the appointment. Here is my question for the Prime Minister: Does he really think this appointment will bring people together and build bridges rather than be divisive?
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Context: House Hansard - 149 - Jan/30/23
Mr. Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly, BQ)
  • Jan/30/23 2:32:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Ms. Elghawaby, who has described Bill 21 as Islamophobic, was unfortunately there, too. Her presence was commendable; her remarks, not so much. Rather than simply condemn her remarks out of hand, I asked to meet with Ms. Elghawaby so that we could try to understand, as parliamentarians, as elected officials, as those responsible for passing the budget that will fund her position. Can the Prime Minister tell me whether he supports such a meeting, whether he wants to see it happen and maybe could even facilitate it?
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Context: House Hansard - 149 - Jan/30/23
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • Jan/30/23 2:32:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would truly love to see this meeting happen. It would be a great conversation. I think Ms. Elghawaby would be able to explain how systemic racism and Islamophobia are a reality for people across the country. We all have a duty to listen to one another and understand how hurtful bills and words can be, even if that is not our intention. We have a duty to understand the impact of what we are doing on vulnerable communities in our country. Yes, I will certainly facilitate that meeting, and I know that Ms. Elghawaby would be delighted to meet the Bloc Québécois leader.
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Context: House Hansard - 149 - Jan/30/23
Mr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, CPC)
  • Jan/30/23 3:01:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Prime Minister's right-hand man in Quebec, had a strong reaction to the appointment of Amira Elghawaby, the federal representative to combat Islamophobia, who once made disparaging comments about the Quebec nation. He said, “As a Quebecker, I am deeply hurt by these comments, I am deeply insulted”. Given that he is hurt and insulted, will his words be backed up with action? Will the minister press for this irresponsible political appointment to be revoked?
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