Canada’s federal government announced on Friday that there will be two national summit dates following the London attack that killed four members of a Muslim family. The two emergency national summits are set to occur on July 21 and July 22, 2021.
Each meeting will respectively focus on the topics of antisemitism on July 21, and islamophobia on July 22.
Through these national summits, the Canadian federal government is working to help communities most vulnerable and affected by racism, while taking the necessary measures to address these forms of hate in hopes of building a more inclusive country.
A diverse group of communities composed of political leaders, academics, activists, and members with intersectional identities within these communities is set to be present at the summits. Groups such as Canada’s Special Envoy for Preserving Holocaust Rememberance and Combatting Antisemitism will be participating in the summit, all with a goal of encouraging a path forward that actively combats racism and discrimination.
“Our government knows that we need to keep having these conversations to accelerate our work to combat systemic racism in Canada. As we work to build a safer and consciously more inclusive society, we will continue to listen to the lived experiences of communities affected by racism and hate,” said Minister Chagger in a social media statement on Friday.
Former Minister of Justice, Irwin Cotler, will lead the National Summit alongside Bardish Chagger, the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth.
Chagger has also invited her cabinet colleagues, Parliament members, and officials from all levels of government to participate and listen directly to the Muslim and Jewish community leaders concerning these matters.
