As marches and vigils in honour of a Muslim family struck down one year ago because of their religion are taking place, three London NDP MPPs are demanding the PC government prioritize legislation targeting Islamophobia and other hate crimes.
Peggy Sattler (London-West), Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre), and Teresa Armstrong (London Fanshawe) urged Premier Doug Ford to pass the Our London Family Act in an open letter sent on Monday. The call to action coincides with the first anniversary of the horrific murder of four members of the Afzaal family. The family of five was out for a walk on June 6 of last year when they were hit by a pickup truck that mounted the curb at Hyde Park and South Carriage roads. Only the Afzaal's then 9-year-old son survived the attack, which police have said was a planned, premeditated act motivated by hate.
"One year after this unspeakable, heinous attack, our community expects and needs us to act; Ontarians expect and need the Legislature to act," the three MPPs wrote. "Our London Family Act was developed in partnership with the National Council of Canadian Muslims, in consultation with the Muslim community in London and across the province. It sets out concrete actions that can be taken by the government of Ontario to end Islamophobia, racism and hate."
The bill, which failed to gain unanimous support at Queen's Park in March, would have ensured a provincial review of hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents in the province, created a safe zone around religious institutions and places of worship, and prevented white supremacist groups from registering as societies. It would also have established an Ontario anti-racism advisory and advocacy council to advise on government policies and empower the Speaker of the House to ban protests at Queen’s Park that incite racist, homophobic, transphobic or xenophobic hate.
The proposed legislation died when the legislature was dissolved ahead of the provincial election. It will now have to be reintroduced.
Both the Liberals and Green Party previously offered support for the bill. However, Ford would not commit to passing it.
"One year after the devastating loss of our London family, we should not still be waiting for Ontario to move beyond words to action," Sattler, Kernaghan, and Armstrong conclude in the letter. "Every Muslim person needs and deserves to know that they are welcome, loved and safe in Ontario."
Ford has not yet responded to the letter, but did issue a statement in honour of the Afzaal family.
"Racism, hate and discrimination have no place in our province," Ford said. "Our government will always stand with Ontario’s Muslim community. We remain steadfast in our commitment to fight Islamophobia and defend everyone’s fundamental right to practice their faith free of fear, intimidation and violence.”