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There was no mention from Premier Scott Moe on Thursday about a punishment for his MLA, Racquel Hilbert, and her use of “terrorist” to describe the federal NDP Leader, Jagmeet Singh.
When asked about it during Question Period, Moe said Hilbert had publicly apologized for the comments and he repeated part of her apology, calling the use of the word “inaccurate and inappropriate”.
“She retracted those comments on the floor of this legislature; she apologized for those comments as well as apologizing, Mr. Speaker, publicly in the media as well,” said Moe.
“This province, most certainly, this province has been built – for over 100 years now – from many people, coming from many places all around the world, which is why our motto, Mr. Speaker, is ‘from many peoples strength, Mr. Speaker.”
Neither Moe nor Hilbert were made available to speak to the media about the comments.
Tajinder Grewal, NDP MLA for Saskatoon University-Sutherland and a member of the Sikh community, said an apology alone isn’t good enough.
“Our community’s really upset and there is so much harm; calling someone a terrorist just for being Sikh is very hateful, is hate speech,” he said.
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He said he’s been getting constant texts, calls and emails from the local Sikh community about this, that removing Hilbert from the government caucus is the least the premier could do.
(The community doesn’t) “feel respected here, they feel that if elected officials can (say that), so then anybody else on the street can (say that),” said Grewal.
He said this story was top news in the Sikh and Punjabi media across the country yesterday.
Under Section 319 of the Canadian Criminal Code, publicly inciting hatred against an identifiable group based on ethnicity, religion, language or skin colour is a criminal offence.
Sikh organizations react
The World Sikh Organization of Canada came out with a statement on the incident, condemning Hilbert’s comment, calling it shocking and offensive.
“MLA Racquel Hilbert’s comments are reprehensible and parrot disinformation being pushed from India in order to malign Sikhs and suppress legitimate criticism,” said the organization’s president, Danish Singh, in the statement.
“At a time where we are seeing rising anti-Sikh hate, these comments are an insult not just to Jagmeet Singh but also contribute to the stigmatization and marginalization of Sikh Canadians.
He said the Sask. Party should remove her from committee assignments and require her and all its members to take anti-racism and sensitivity training.
The Sikh Society of Saskatchewan responded to Hilbert’s comments as well. On April 10, it sent a letter to the premier, the Sask. Party caucus and all MLAs.
The letter said Hilbert’s comments were hurtful and harmful — it’s a deeply personal issue for the local Sikh community.
“We have shared in both the triumphs and struggles of this land and we have reaised our children here with the hope that they would inherit a future of respect, equality and understanding,” read the letter.
It had four actions: it’s urging the premier and the Sask. Party to take in the wake of Hilbert’s comments.
The society asked for the premier to condemn the remarks, saying that by speaking out, he can demonstrate those comments aren’t in line with the values Saskatchewan stands for.
It also called for the party to distance itself from Hilbert’s comments, “silence is not an option”.
The society wants Hilbert to be held accountable, which it said could include the party requesting her resignation or her removal from the caucus.
The society also asked for the government to support the bill introduced by NDP MLA Bhajan Brar to establish a permanent Sikh Heritage Month in the province.
“It will serve as a clear message that our government is committed to inclusivity and to honouring the richness of Saskatchewan’s diverse communities,” read the letter.
