Sada Online, Montreal

Two incidents happening last month were an important test for the Arab/Muslim community’s stance regarding Canada’s political parties and for the community’s general aspirations.

The first incident occurred when a meeting of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and representatives of the Muslim community was cancelled; it had been scheduled for August 21^st. Earlier this week, the CBC reported that 52 Arab and Muslim staffers in the Liberal government had signed a letter addressed to Trudeau, warning him they wouldn’t participate in the party’s by-election campaign that seeks to keep the seat of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun after former Justice Minister David Lametti’s resignation. The cancelling of the meeting and the staffers’ stance will consequently show the troubled future of the Liberal government’s relation with our community. Earlier, the Liberal Party had taken the community’s support for granted.

The second incident occurred a day after the meeting with Trudeau was cancelled. On Thursday, August 22^nd, the NDP candidate for the riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, Craig Sauvé, met representatives of the Muslim community at a Verdun mosque, with the event telling of the community’s appreciation of the NDP’s stance since war broke out in Gaza last October.

Ahead of the by-elections, which are scheduled for Monday, September 16^th, we met Mr Sauvé, who’s known to be in good terms with our community, and who says he’s “been a regular presence” at the three mosques in his district throughout his years as a councillor – “not just at election time!” Sauvé as well notes, “I was deeply moved by the interest and trust the community has shown towards me and Jagmeet Singh. It fills me with a great sense of duty to do right by the community, and I greatly look forward to the work we're going to do together.”

During the interview, the candidate emphasized that “fighting anti-Palestinian racism starts with acknowledging its existence in our country, which the Liberals refuse to do.” He noted that “electing a New Democrat in Ottawa, instead of a Liberal, would increase pressure on the government to honestly support the ICJ and ICC by taking meaningful action to comply with the Courts.”

Sauvé sees that as the awaited elections near, the people of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun “have the power to send Trudeau a message and affect real change in the government on urgent issues from the genocide in Gaza to the housing crisis. Let’s do this together - on September 16 get out and vote!” 

The interview:

1-Would you please tell us about yourself and why you chose the NDP?

New Democrats have always been those who are principled in advocating for human rights and economic justice for all Canadians, and the consistent application of International Law for all people. Fighting for a world where everyone can have justice, peace and security is what I believe in. These are values which are important to me and that's why I have been an NDP member since 2002.

2-Can you explain to our readers the role you played in the Montreal City hall to make sure that the City does not adopt the IHRA definition that equates supporting Palestinians right with anti-Semitism?

I strongly believe that all level governments need to do more to tackle anti-Semitism and all forms of hate. I believe it is important to have a definition to be able to better tackle this scourge, but many experts have raised important concerns regarding this specific definition that has been used sometimes to try to silence legitimate criticism of the Israel government and its policies, which is a legitimate freedom for Canadians. Those concerns are serious and we need to be careful to not create an undesired effect. That’s why I am committed to fighting antisemitism but opposed the specific IHRA definition at city hall and mobilized other councillors to do so.

3-What role will Craig Sauvé play in the House of Commons to denounce genocide in Palestine and stop support to Israel who is accused by the ICJ of commiting genocide?

Along with my colleagues Heather McPherson, Alexandre Boulerice and our leader Jagmeet Singh, I will be a strong voice for peace and justice for Palestinians. Canada has a responsibility to do everything it can to stop this genocide, but right now, Melanie Joly and Justin Trudeau have failed Canadians and keep serving us empty words while sending weapons to Israel and shielding it diplomatically at the UN. New Democrats will keep fighting back, because we know that's what Canadians want and our Canadian government should not be complicit in this genocide.  

4-What role can you play to advocate for Canada to recognize and support the role of the ICJ and the ICC?

Justin Trudeau's Liberal government applies a frustrating double standard towards Palestine. They claim to support the ICJ and ICC while failing to uphold or respect their decisions.

Canada can show its support to the ICJ by sanctioning Netanyahu and his war cabinet until they uphold ICJ rulings. 

Electing a New Democrat in Ottawa, instead of a Liberal, would increase pressure on the government to honestly support the ICJ and ICC by taking meaningful action to comply with the Courts.

5-What are the Steps needed in fighting anti-Palestinian racism in all its forms?

Fighting anti-Palestinian racism starts with acknowledging its existence in our country, which the Liberals refuse to do. The government often conflates Islamophobia with anti-Palestinian racism, which hinders progress because they are not the same. It's crucial to name anti-Palestinian racism as distinct because not all Palestinians are Muslim, and this issue is not merely a religious conflict. The New Democrats are committed to this and will pressure the federal government to recognise and combat anti-Palestinian racism. 

6-Do you think it is important to keep the post of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia of Canada? And how?

Absolutely. This position should be permanent and we should dedicate more resources so it can have a bigger impact in our society. 

7-Why is Canada not keeping and increasing humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people, like what is being done to Ukraine?

That is a good question for the Liberals, but it is just another example of double standards of this Liberal government. New Democrats have been fighting for more humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people; we condemned the pause of aid to UNRWA by Minister Ahmed Hussen, and we will keep fighting for more humanitarian aid for people in need. 

8-What are the steps needed to ban arms sales to Israel? 

Back in March, New Democrats brought a motion to parliament which forced the Liberal government to vote to end all arms transfers to Israel. Unfortunately Mr. Trudeau is doing what he always does - claiming one thing while doing something else. Despite what Mr. Trudeau says about stopping arms sales, the fact is that Canada continues to ship weapons to Israel and allows loopholes where Canadian arms manufacturers ship to the United States, which then sends them to Israel.


9-Bill 21 has its very discriminatory effects on young women in particular, and the fact that - in a way - Bill 21 institutionalized “depriving” citizens of their fundamental rights based on their background, what will the NDP do to defend those affected by the law?

Jagmeet and the NDP have said it many times – like many Quebecers, I think this law is wrong and it hurts people - it makes women and some people feel like they don’t belong. We have been clear that we believe the federal government should intervene through the Supreme Court to defend people's fundamental rights. 

10-People are disappointed and disillusioned with politicians who make promises during the election campaign and forget all about that after being elected.  How can you assure them that Craig Sauvé and the NDP will be different?

I think that my record as a city councillor speaks for itself. I’ve been a regular presence at the three mosques in my district throughout my years as a councillor - not just at election time! Being an elected official is a duty that I take seriously, and a big part of that is actively going out into the community to hear people’s stories and concerns so that I can best advocate for them. 

The NDP has always been a party that stands on its values of social justice, peace, solidarity, and human rights, even if that means paying a political price for it. Under Jack Layton, we opposed the war in Afghanistan when doing so was unpopular, and under Tom Mulcair we paid a heavy political price for defending women’s right to wear the niqab - or whatever else they may choose to wear. Mr. Trudeau has always been happy to take selfies with Muslim people, but we can see for ourselves how his words have not been matched with actions. In the NDP, we advocate for things like public health care, human rights, and a free Palestine because we fundamentally believe in it, no matter what time of year it is.

11-What will Craig and the NDP do for the sake of ⁠housing affordability in general and for this riding in particular?

The cost of housing is the issue which I hear about the most on the doorsteps in this campaign and with good reason. The cost of housing has skyrocketed - thanks to years of Liberal and Conservative governments’ inaction. The NDP’s plan to address the housing crisis has several steps: first we will protect renters from massive rent hikes by banning renovictions and fixed-term leases. Second, we will use as much federal land as we can to build off-market, non-profit housing. Further, we support purchasing existing housing units to take them off the market as a means to protect affordability and protect against housing speculation.

To give a local example, there is a plot of federal land which is not being used to its full potential at the Bassin Peel property in the Sud-Ouest. As a councillor, I have called on the federal government to use this land to develop non-profit, off-market housing instead of selling it to developers to build more luxury condos. And at a broader scale across Canada, our party intends to make urgent investments into building 500,000 units of off-market, non-profit housing in the next ten years. Only rich real estate speculators are benefitting from Mr. Trudeau’s approach to housing, but New Democrats offer a vision for housing which will protect renters and everyday homeowners and deliver truly affordable housing for Canadians.

12-If Craig wins this election, what change will he bring about?

My years as a city councillor show what my style is - I’m all about being present on the ground in my constituency, easy to get a hold of, fast to respond, and driven by a strong desire to lift my community up. Many Liberal MPs in Montreal see themselves as being in “safe seats” and end up focusing their attention towards Ottawa, and that focus on insider politics for so long has made them out of touch with their constituencies. I like people, I love my community, and I’m in politics to fight for all of our needs.

I’m running in this election to be LaSalle-Émard-Verdun’s voice to Ottawa, not Ottawa's voice to LaSalle-Émard-Verdun.

13-Some people ask if is it wise to put our eggs in one basket, especially when voting for a party that has only one MP in Quebec. What do you think?

The genocide in Gaza and Trudeau’s support of the killing of women and children has shown Canadians that we need principled elected MPs who will stand up for what’s right. 

Not only is the NDP the only party that can defeat Justin Trudeau in this by-election, but we are also the right choice for Canadians.

So, the choice for people is: would you want an MP who will do everything Justin Trudeau wants them to do, or do you want a fighter for the people in this riding? 

When I look at what Alexandre Boulerice has accomplished this session, it motivates me to go to Ottawa and to deliver as much for LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, whose people deserve a strong voice for them, not a strong voice for Justin Trudeau. 

14-It is known that the NDP defends LGBTQ+ rights.  How can you assure parents who are worried about their children that defending the rights of one group should not be a threat to others’ rights?

New Democrats have a strong record of fighting for the rights of everyone to be protected, and that has been my track record as a councillor. Parental rights in schools is a provincial issue, but I have taken the time to listen to the concerns of constituents, and my door is always open to issues that are important to my constituents.

15-This week a meeting of Prime Minister Trudeau and the Muslim community was cancelled. The next day we saw NDP leader Mr. Singh meeting with this community... What is your comment on that?

I think more and more people in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun and in the Muslim and Arab community are realizing who has been there for them in times of need. Canadians know Justin Trudeau has failed them. They have witnessed Jagmeet Singh standing up for them. I hear this at the doors and from community leaders, and this is why I’m proud to work with him. I was present at the meeting with Jagmeet and the Muslim community, and I was deeply moved by the interest and trust the community has shown towards me and Jagmeet Singh. It fills me with a great sense of duty to do right by the community, and I greatly look forward to the work we're going to do together.

16-What is your last word to the community in LaSalle in particular and in Quebec and Canada in general?

This by-election is a unique opportunity to send a powerful message to the government that business as usual is no longer acceptable. The people of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun have the power to send Trudeau a message and affect real change in the government on urgent issues from the genocide in Gaza to the housing crisis. Let’s do this together - on September 16 get out and vote! 

photo credit : Ali Hussein/ sadaonline