(Ottawa) A promise to establish a toll-free line to denounce “barbaric cultural practices”, six years old, still haunts the relationship between the Conservative Party and cultural communities, laments MP Tim Uppal, in charge of Liaison au within his caucus.
Mr. Uppal was Minister responsible for Multiculturalism under Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, before his loss to Justin Trudeau in 2015.
The party has positioned itself as the defender of “Canadian values”, and Mr. Harper spent his last months in office promoting cultural policies that have divided the population. These included a bill banning the wearing of face coverings during citizenship ceremonies, a measure supported by Uppal.
PHOTO FROM TIM UPPAL FACEBOOK PAGE
Tim Uppal was re-elected in the riding of Edmonton Mill Woods.
The MP apologized for the position last June, days after a Muslim family was killed by a driver in London, Ont. City police described the attack as “motivated by hate”, concluding that the victims had been targeted because of their faith.
“I should have spoken more firmly. And that would not happen under the Conservative Party today, ”vowed Mr. Uppal in a recent interview with The Canadian Press.
Nascent attempts
Chief Erin O’Toole recently selected Mr. Uppal to become his Chair of Voter Liaison, a new role created within his caucus.
The focus on public relations follows the disappointment and frustration felt by many Conservatives after failing to make inroads into the Greater Toronto Area – home to many immigrants and racialized Canadians – during the election of the September 20. Party leaders were also shocked when longtime Conservative MPs were defeated in constituencies where many voters of Chinese descent live.
The World Organization of Sikhs in Canada recently met with Messrs. O’Toole and Uppal, resulting in a productive conversation where they are committed to staying in touch, according to organization spokesperson Balpreet Singh.
He believes that the Conservatives have the ability to broaden their partisan base in Sikh communities, where many like the party’s tax policies.
However, it is the promises of 2015 that create unease among many.
“We felt that these were aimed at the Muslim community and that the conservatives did not hesitate to play the racial card, the xenophobic card when it seemed to them to be to their advantage, and that is unacceptable”, explained Mr. Singh .
One of the questions he raised with Mr. O’Toole is his position on Bill 21, which among other things prevents teachers and Quebec civil servants from wearing religious symbols in their workplaces. According to him, the measure creates a “second class citizenship” for many members of his community.
Singh said it was disheartening to see the Conservative leader say he would never challenge a law passed in Quebec. However, Mr. O’Toole reportedly told him the issue was being discussed within the party.