NDP Critic for National Revenue (Tax Fairness and Inequality) Niki Ashton says racism and Islamophobia should be eliminated in all forms from the Canadian government system. “New Democrats are appalled by how the Government of Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in particular is reportedly treating Muslim organizations like the Muslim Association of Canada. We see clearly that Islamophobia and other forms of racism continue to exist in our systems of government. Not only does this pose a threat to the well-being of our communities, but it also hurts the social fabric of our country. 

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

OTTAWA - NDP Critic for National Revenue (Tax Fairness and Inequality) Niki Ashton says racism and Islamophobia should be eliminated in all forms from the Canadian government system. 

“New Democrats are appalled by how the Government of Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in particular is reportedly treating Muslim organizations like the Muslim Association of Canada. We see clearly that Islamophobia and other forms of racism continue to exist in our systems of government. Not only does this pose a threat to the well-being of our communities, but it also hurts the social fabric of our country. 

Last summer, nearly 100 Muslim organizations and civil society groups sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to reform the CRA’s auditing processes, which they allege unfairly target Muslims. 

In July 2021, the Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier asked the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson to “examine concerns raised by certain Muslim-led charities” about their experiences with the CRA. While meetings are important, it is clear that the auditing process continues to hurt organizations like the Muslim Association of Canada. Action is necessary. According to a report released by the University of Toronto, Muslim charities are disproportionately targeted for audits by the CRA. This is unacceptable and it must stop. 

The Liberals have been too slow to act on eliminating Islamophobia—even in the departments that they govern. This must change.

New Democrats call on the Liberals to take action to put an end to the systemic racism that Muslims in Canada continue to experience.”