WATCH: Racial and religious minorities are banding together to speak out against the Couillard government’s hate speech law. Global’s Elysia Bryan-Baynes reports.
MONTREAL – The government’s anti-hate speech law isn’t getting much love from some Montrealers.
Many ethnic communities, including Asians, Blacks, First Nations, Jewish and Muslims groups, except for one, weren’t asked to take part in hearings on Bill 59.
On Tuesday, representatives from Arab, Black and Muslim groups asked to be included in hearings which start in August.
They’re dismayed that as people who are often the target of hate speech, they’re not being included.
“We’re worried that the bill will marginalize those who are already victims,” Black History Month Rountable’s Michael Farkas told reporters Tuesday.
As an example, they cite the use of the word “honour” in the legislation connected to honour crimes.
“The word honour does not belong with violence. And we have to ensure that it doesn’t become a code word for certain groups. Violence against women isn’t something that happens to ‘those people over there,’ it’s alive and well among us,” said Shaheen Junaid of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.
Hearings into Bill 59 run from Aug. 17 until Sept. 22.
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