OTTAWA – During question period in Ottawa on Tuesday, ministers weighed in on the soccer turban ban controversy in Quebec.
André Bellavance, the Bloc Québécois MP for Richmond-Arthabaska, asked that the Minister of Sport call for the Quebec Soccer Federation to be reinstated. The association was suspended by the Canadian Soccer Association after it said it would maintain a ban on wearing turbans while playing soccer in the province.
“It should be FIFA that examines the possibility of changing its rules instead of attacking young players of Quebec.”
He noted that by supporting the Canadian Soccer Association’s decision, Conservative ministers and the Liberal leader were “banning thousands of young Quebec players from participating in Canadian and international competitions.”
The Minister of Sport Bal Gosal responded by saying that soccer should encourage participation rather than exclude children.
“We see no valid reason for why kids should be banned from playing soccer because of their religion,” he said.
“I encourage the Quebec Soccer Federation to follow the lead of soccer leagues across Canada and the Canadian Soccer Association and not create barriers for children who want to play the sport they love.”
After the suspension was announced on Monday, several Federal ministers took to social media to voice their support for the decision.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney tweeted: “Good to see CDN Soccer Association take action against the Quebec Soccer Federation over its ridiculous turban ban.”
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was also supportive, tweeting: “Barring kids from playing soccer because they wear a turban is wrong. The CSA is right to suspend the #QSF.”
The CSA reports directly to the FIFA world body and is responsible for granting or revoking the membership of provincial federations.
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