#calgary-mccall

Mr. Sabir: We need to acknowledge that this hate exists in our societies, and we need to stop saying that this is not us. We need to stop saying that because this is happening in our communities, in our cities, to our fellow Albertans. Until we stop this, we need to stop saying that this is not us.

I do understand that it’s not a partisan issue, and when I say that it’s not a partisan issue, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a political issue. It is absolutely a political issue. Earlier I was listening to the hon. Premier’s remarks. The Premier said that our Muslim community has faced – he used the words “casual prejudice, soft bigotry.” The words used by the Premier were “casual prejudice” and “soft bigotry.” With respect I disagree with the Premier. I ask the Premier, I urge the Premier: come talk to us who are on the receiving end of this hate about whether it’s casual, whether it’s soft. Let us explain it to you. Many people in our communities, when you talk to them, don’t see it as casual prejudice. They don’t see it as soft bigotry. They see these incidents as extremely prejudicial and institutional bigotry.

Let me remind the members of this House that the niqab ban was not a soft bigotry. That was not a casual prejudice. That was institutional prejudice and institutional bigotry. The barbaric cultural practices hotline: that was not a soft prejudice; that was not a soft bigotry. That was institutionalized bigotry.

Mr. Sabir: One, the government has had the antiracism council report for the last six months now. I have been in cabinet. I have received those reports as well. I think that six months is enough time to analyze that report, to read that report. So, for God’s sake, release that report, and with that report release an action plan, and with that action plan strike a bipartisan committee of this House, who can codevelop an implementation plan and report on the progress. That’s the least we can do.

That report is based on consultations with indigenous communities, with black communities, with persons of colour communities. A group of 25 Albertans spent two years on that report. Albertans paid for that report. They deserve to see that report. The government needs to stop this culture of secrecy and step up to address this problem of racism. And let me say another thing on the floor of the House: we do have that report – we do have that report – and if the government doesn’t do that, I might consider releasing that report.

Mrs. Aheer: I’m just going to speak for a minute to the member. We’re here today to discuss the murder of a family. This is what happens over and over again. It is supposed to be a moment of recognition and to talk about things that need to be done, which I’m happy to share with the member... And to politicize the pain – we’ve had tears; we’ve had conversations; we are hurting – that is what is going to come out of our opposition today, a politicization of a family that got murdered.

I hope that the people of Alberta watch what just happened here. I hope that they understand that that’s where racism comes from: that fear, that divisiveness, that absolutely abhorrent behaviour... It’s despicable to use such a horrible situation for your own momentum. Absolutely despicable. I hope that the people of Alberta just watched that. It took away from all of the importance that needed to happen today for this family...

There are so many actions that need to be taken. That’s not the answer. That behaviour, Madam Speaker: that’s actually what drives division, drives racism, drives anger and hate, because that is anger and absolutely disingenuous behaviour towards this family. It takes years of engagement...

Mr. Sabir: There are many community leaders who have raised the concern that the government didn’t get this right. That includes Chief Allan Adam, who was arrested last year, and the video was all over this country and beyond.

Irfan Chaudhry, a human rights researcher at MacEwan University, said that this bill has potential to “legislate racial profiling.” That’s a person who teaches human rights at MacEwan University, a community leader. That’s what he is saying.

Then a respected imam in Calgary, Imam Syed Sohardwardy, said: “It’s carding again. Racism is getting legalized with this bill.”

Vanesa Ortiz, secretary for the Association of Mexicans in Calgary, talked about the gaps in this legislation

Rishi Nagar, a radio host and also a member of the Calgary Police Service Anti-Racism Action Committee and the antiracism committee for the city of Calgary, said: My community and my colleagues are very concerned over the way this bill is presented. Anti-racism requires bold steps, not half measures. Many racialized Calgarians experience disproportionate policing on a daily basis and have called for an end to the practice of carding. Unfortunately, Bill 63 fails to do that and places vulnerable Albertans at greater risk.

Amira Shousha, Alberta regional team lead for the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said: In other words, it might be OK to card my friends and I and to retain that information under crime prevention activities. That’s not progress and that’s exactly the problem with carding and street checks in the first place.

Minister, these are people from BIPOC communities who often get disproportionately impacted by carding and street checks. This is what these community leaders are saying.

Mr. Madu: Sadly, there was a time in this province where the NDP were elected because we allowed ourselves to be divided. That would not have happened. . .

Mr. Sabir: That was the democratic decision of Albertans.

Mr. Madu: . . . if we had not divided ourselves. The NDP would not have had the opportunity to govern this province.

Member Ceci: You weren’t here.

Mr. Sabir: Alberta needs decisive action against COVID-19, which is spreading out of control. Instead, the Premier produced a grab bag of half measures and a lot of excuses. One of those is that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms prevents him from acting, but the Charter explicitly allows emergency actions when they are demonstrably justified. Hundreds of Albertans are dead; 13,000 are infected with COVID-19. To the Minister of Justice: if this doesn’t justify action, what does?  

Mr. Sabir: The hailstorm last Saturday affected thousands of people and their property and caused over $1 billion in damages – $1 billion. There is a huge concern in the community that not all losses are insured, and people cannot afford this damage in what has been an extremely challenging year. We are hearing from people who have already been turned away by their insurance broker, and this Premier’s only answer is to call them again. Premier, when Fort McMurray flooded, you raced to offer disaster relief funding. Why won’t you do the same for my constituents?

Mr. Panda: That’s why under 29(2)(a) through you, Madam Speaker, I would ask that they withdraw and apologize if they can’t provide me the proof of the $4.7 billion that was given away allegedly by the government, which I’m a member of the Executive Council. I couldn’t find that. I went around in Calgary even during, you know, Halloween. I asked kids to go and find it, actually. Where is that $4.7 billion? Nobody in Calgary could find it.