Community groups condemn the appointment of the new head of the Alberta Commission and Human Rights Courts, following the resurgence of a 2009 academic book in which he made Islamophobic comments.
Calgary attorney Collin May began his new five-year role as head this week after serving on the commission since 2019.
“It was very shocking and painful and just worrying to see some of the statements that Collin May made,” said Said Omar, Alberta’s head of defense at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).
Collin May’s review of Islamic imperialism: a story by British-Israeli historian Efraim Karsh came to light again earlier this month in an article published by The Progress Report, an Alberta news medium .
May’s comment highlighted Karsh’s Islamophobic assertion that religion is inherently militaristic in nature, under the guise of analysis.
“[Karsh] it challenges multicultural enthusiasm for peaceful Islam and goes to the heart of the matter. Islam is not a peaceful religion misused by radicals. Rather, it is one of the most militaristic religions known to man, and it is precisely this militaristic heritage that informs the actions of radicals throughout the Muslim world, ”May wrote in her 2009 review.
1. We are deeply concerned about the disturbing views on Islam expressed in 2009 in the form of a book review by Collin May, the newly appointed head of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. https://t.co/mJgnlvcOI8
– @ nccm
C2C Journal is primarily an online publication, “whose blatant bias is in favor of the free market, democratic governance, and individual freedom,” according to its website.
It’s the same medium in which Paul Bunner, former Prime Minister Jason Kenney’s speechwriter, wrote an article that rejected the “false history of genocide” of Canada’s residential school system and said Indigenous youth they could be “mature recruits” for violent uprisings.
The NCCM is now working with May to see that it better serves Muslim communities.
May’s review is problematic because it is based on stereotypes of Islam that most, if not all, Muslims do not have, and is based on an understanding of Islam that is incorrect, Omar said.
The council approached May and members of the Alberta government, and is working to rectify the situation with community members, he said.
Said Omar, the defense officer for Alberta’s National Council of Canadian Muslims, says May’s revision is problematic, in part, because it is based on stereotypes of Islam that many Muslims do not hold. (nccm.ca)
“A real apology has to be a commitment to continuous action and a real commitment to repair,” Omar said. “We will let the community be the arbiter of their efforts in good faith and sincerity.”
CBC News asked for an interview with May. The commission responded by saying its political mandate prevents a leader from conducting media interviews to maintain neutrality, given the nature of the position, but approved a statement in May issued last week.
“I do not believe in or accept the characterization of Islam as a religion or militant movement, especially in light of important recent and diverse knowledge that is working to overcome misconceptions about Muslim history and philosophy,” May said in the statement.
“I want to specifically state that Albertan Muslims have a right to full and equal respect for all our communities.”
The commission, in a separate statement, said it is independent of the provincial government and is committed to maintaining the Alberta Human Rights Act.
“We have a long history of working with Islamic organizations and the Muslim community, and we will continue our efforts to improve these relations in the future,” the commission said.
Opposition NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir has called for May to step down as head of the Alberta Commission and Human Rights Courts. (Gareth Hampshire / CBC)
“It is not a position to receive training in the workplace”
Opposition NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir has called for May’s resignation, saying Alberta residents would be better served by someone educated and connected to Muslim communities.
“The Alberta Human Rights Commission should not be a position for you to receive on-the-job training,” Sabir said.
“This place should be occupied by a person who understands the diversity of this province, who understands what challenges BIPOC communities face to indigenous communities.”
Sabir also asks May to only deal with the review now, 13 years after she wrote it, and just as she takes on her role as head.
“He had been on this committee for a while … if his views had evolved, he should have presented himself,” he said.
He added that this situation further calls into question the provincial government’s verification process, as well as the commitment of the United Conservative Party to tackling racism, especially due to the lack of significant action on the 48 recommendations of the anti-racism advisory board. of Alberta published last year. .
The Alberta government plans to share details of an action plan to combat racism in the province next week.
The Alberta Human Rights Commission should not be a position for [May] to obtain training in the workplace.- Irfan Sabir, justice critic of the opposition NDP
The office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General handled the May verification process.
CBC News requested an interview with Tyler Shandro, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Alberta. The Shandro press secretary made a statement.
“The Alberta government does not agree with the characterization of Islam or the position expressed in the book review written in 2009,” the statement says.
The justice ministry accepted May’s statement and the government “will continue to maintain the commission for its mandate to promote equality and reduce discrimination in our province,” he added.