Even in multicultural Canada, from time to time extremist white supremacy views disturb the social climate of the country, especially targeting Sikhs, Muslims, Jews and others.  WSO testifies before the Justice Committee of the House of Commons of Canada urging governmental intervention when things go out of hand.

Taking their role seriously as the watchdog and champion of Sikh rights as well as minority rights and recognizing that engaging with the government can be key to achieve the desired results, the World Sikh Organization of Canada President, Mukhbir Singh testified yesterday before the House of Commons Justice Committee on the issue of online hate and called upon the government to play its role in countering its proliferation.

Since the last few years, the World Sikh Organisation of Canada and other organizations have been urging the Canadian government to frame a strategy to counter online hatred which is assuming gigantic proportions worldwide. Canada has witnessed a steep rise in police-reported hate crimes.

In his testimony, Mukhbir Singh acknowledged that “unfortunately, instances of hatred and violence are not new for the Sikh community… minority status combined with an outward identity which is intended to stand out has often made Sikhs a target by those motivated by hate and intolerance.”

Mukhbir Singh made reference to the arrest last week of an individual for ‘public incitement of hatred’ following a Facebook comment in response to a news story about the record-breaking number of people who attended the Surrey Vaisakhi parade. The individual who was charged had commented that the failure to place a pressure cooker bomb at the parade was a “lost opportunity”.

The vast and unparalleled reach of Internet has brought in its wake a new rigour of unlimited freedom and the need for service providers and governmental authorities to restrict the reach and content from time to time.  In its submissions, the WSO recognized that all individuals have the right to exercise their freedom of expression, however in instances where expression may be used to threaten the most marginalized members of our society, namely women, youth and minorities, action must be taken.

“The proliferation of online hate and the link to actual attacks is worrisome and Canada must act to counter this threat with a meaningful and effective strategy. “

Mukhbir Singh, President, World Sikh Organisation of Canada

Mukhbir Singh said, “The proliferation of online hate and the link to actual attacks is worrisome and Canada must act to counter this threat with a meaningful and effective strategy.  We hope that through cooperation with social media providers and government agencies as well as increased dialogue and engagement, the danger online hate poses to vulnerable groups can be mitigated.”

Canada has to act on its commitment on the subject made to the world community. On 5 April, Ralph Goodale –the Canadian Minister for Public Safety, submitted to the G7 Interior Ministers Meeting in Paris that, “First, obviously impacted by the horrific recent attacks on vulnerable people at prayer in Mosques in New Zealand, the G7 are very alert, collectively and individually, to the threats posed by ultra right-wing, neo-Nazi, white supremacist violent extremism.  Whatever its source or orientation, extremism and hate leading to violence threatens our safety and security, and we must take it all seriously.”

He further added, “Surely that is the painful message from Christchurch – and earlier from Pittsburgh, and in Canada from Yonge Street in Toronto and Ste Foy, Quebec, and from Moncton, Mayerthorpe, Dawson College and Ecole Polytechnique.  In each of these tragedies, depraved extremism and hate snuffed out innocent lives.” It is indeed time to follow up on this promise for one and all, as he further said in the G7 submission, “Canada will continue to work with its allies to ensure our safety and protect our rights.”

The World Sikh Organisation Proposal on online hate to Justice Committee, House of Commons of Canada

WSO proposed that:

• The government of Canada must consult with community stakeholders as well as social media providers respond to the threat of online.
• The establishment of uniform, national guidelines and standards for the collection and handling of hate crime and hate incident data in Canada.
• Penalties should be imposed on companies which fail to properly apply laws regarding the removal of hateful content.
• Training and support to law enforcement, provincial attorney generals and prosecutors to use the tools available to them under the Criminal Code such as Section 320.1. This section has not been used very often to date.
• Promotion of dialogue and engagement between communities. Often hate is borne out of ignorance or misunderstanding and this may be prevented through community engagement and outreach.
• The government must engage with community organizations to hear their concerns about what they are seeing on the ground. [/alert]