Hawzah News Agency- The office, led by Amira Elghawaby, played a key role in researching economic barriers facing Muslims, advising government agencies, developing anti-Islamophobia training programs, and supporting studies on media coverage of hate crimes against Muslims.
Observers argue that folding Muslim-related issues into the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion risks diluting attention from the specific challenges Muslims face, despite Muslims making up nearly five per cent of Canada’s population. Past experience with advisory councils has shown they have limited power to ensure accountability or drive meaningful policy change.
Surveys indicate that nearly three-quarters of Muslim women in Quebec have considered leaving the province due to discrimination and harassment, even as François Legault continues to deny the existence of Islamophobia in the province.
Elghawaby has also faced sustained criticism and hostility for making Islamophobia visible, particularly after October 7, 2023, when right-wing politicians and media accused her of being divisive for speaking out on Palestinian rights. Analysts describe this as evidence of a double standard toward Muslim voices in Canadian politics.
The decision by Prime Minister Mark Carney to shut down the envoy role—despite earlier commitments to preserve it—has drawn further criticism, especially following earlier remarks by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who had described the positions as “useless''.
Advocates say the moment calls for increased resources and stronger political commitment to combating Islamophobia, warning that without accountable structures, anti-Muslim violence risks remaining invisible. They stress that meaningful action is owed to the victims of past attacks and to Muslim Canadians who fear that visibly practicing their faith could put their lives at risk.
Source: POLICY OPTIONS
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