NDP, Liberals would bring law to fight Islamophobia

Ontario’s New Democrats and Liberals say they would bring in a law to fight Islamophobia and other sorts of hate if elected to form government on June 2.

Speaking to reporters in Kingston, Ont., on Wednesday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said addressing racism and hate is a priority for people who have experienced hateful attacks based on their race, faith or any other part of their identities.

“There’s just too much hate out there,” she said.

“We have an obligation and a responsibility, leaders do, to take that on and to listen when (a) community says we don’t want to just hear the words. We want you to take action.”

Horwath said it was “extremely disappointing” the only party in the Ontario legislature that wasn’t prepared to pass the law was the governing Progressive Conservatives.

The NDP said they would reintroduce the bill, known as the Our London Family Act, which would establish a review of hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents.

Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca said his party would also pass the anti-Islamophobia legislation if elected.

“I said from the very beginning that we would move forward with legislation. I’ve already committed to moving as quickly as I can to pass the Our London Family Act,” he said at an unrelated announcement in Toronto on Wednesday.

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford didn’t commit to supporting the proposed law when he was asked about it on Wednesday.