Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
TORONTO — Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown says he will support an anti-Islamophobia motion from a Liberal member.
Brown’s support means the Ontario motion is unlikely to garner the kind of political debate seen over a similar motion in the House of Commons.
The federal motion is opposed by a number of Conservative MPs, including several leadership contenders, who say it could stifle legitimate debate about issues like Shariah law and the niqab.
The Ontario motion, from Liberal backbencher Nathalie Des Rosiers, is to be debated Thursday and asks for the legislature to “stand against all forms of hatred, hostility, prejudice, racism and intolerance, rebuke the notable growing tide of anti-Muslim rhetoric and sentiments” and “condemn all forms of Islamophobia.”
Brown says he will support the motion and will encourage his caucus to do the same, saying they “oppose any form of hate.”
Brown says Islamophobia is real, listing a number of incidents in Ontario, including one he says was experienced by a friend of his over the weekend.
