Québec solidaire (QS) co-spokesperson Manon Massé contradicted her fellow MP Haroun Bouazzi on Wednesday, who had accused the Legault government of creating a diversion with its position against the comments of a new emissary from Ottawa in the file. of Islamophobia.
Ms. Massé, however, felt that Mr. Legault and his government had lacked sensitivity in calling on Monday for the resignation of Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative in charge of the fight against Islamophobia, the day after a commemoration of the killing of the mosque in Quebec, which the Prime Minister did not attend.
“I don’t think it’s a diversion,” she said in a press briefing. Mr. Legault said what he thought, but what I’m telling you is that it lacked sensitivity. »
Within minutes, Bouazzi posted a statement on social media to dispel any appearance of contradiction within the QS caucus.
“I’m proud to be part of a cohesive caucus that starts by meeting people before making decisions,” he wrote on his Twitter feed. I do not take Ms. Elghawaby’s mistakes or the fight against Islamophobia lightly. »
I’m proud to be part of a cohesive caucus that starts by meeting people before making decisions. I do not take Ms. Elghawaby’s mistakes or the fight against Islamophobia lightly.
— Haroun Bouazzi (@HarounBouazzi) February 1, 2023
Commenting in 2019 on a survey of Quebecers’ attitude towards Islam, Amira Elghawaby wrote that “the majority of Quebecers seem to be influenced not by the rule of law, but by an anti-Muslim sentiment” which translates into support for the provisions of the Act respecting the secularism of the State.
In her press briefing on Wednesday, Ms. Massé described Ms. Elghawaby’s remarks as “Quebec bashing “. Rather than ask for her resignation, QS opted to meet with her.
The political formation was the only one to abstain on Tuesday from voting on a motion in the National Assembly which asks the federal government to end the mandate of Amira Elghawaby as Canada’s special representative in charge of the fight against Islamophobia. .
” Quebec bashing, this is not acceptable, said Ms. Massé on Wednesday. We agree on that, it is absolutely not acceptable. We want her to withdraw her words, we want her to retract. »
On Tuesday, Mr. Bouazzi made a first statement on social networks accusing the government of creating a diversion by using Ms. Elghawaby’s remarks.
“It’s back to school in the National Assembly and the CAQ government does not have a clear plan for the just energy transition, for public schools, for the crisis in our hospitals? Legault’s strategists: “Look! The ! A woman who wears a veil!” »
It’s back to school#Assnat and the government of #CAQ does not have a clear plan for the just energy transition, for public schools, for the crisis in our hospitals? Legaut’s strategists: “Look! The! A woman who wears a veil!_ #diversion #voilerLIcompetance
— Haroun Bouazzi (@HarounBouazzi) January 31, 2023
Further details will follow.