By Muslim Mirror Desk,
Ottawa, ON– The announcement that the federal government is nominating Ontario appeals court Justice Mahmud Jamal to sit on the Supreme Court of Canada to fill an upcoming vacancy is being seen positively by groups that have been calling on Justin Trudeau work to ensure that federal institutions reflect the diversity of Canada.
Jamal’s appointment would make him the first person of colour and the first Muslim to sit on Canada’s highest court.
“This is very positive news, and it will be received well by Canadians of colour and particularly within Canada’s Muslim community.  It is another step in the evolution of federal institutions to reflect the diversity of Canada, and we would like to commend the Prime Minister for making this historic nomination,” said Fareed Khan in a pressvstatement .
Khan is founder of the anti-racism activist group Canadians United Against Hate, and a leader in the Muslim community.
“In a year which has seen a spike in hate crimes targeting minority communities, and the recent murder of a Muslim family in London, Ontario because they were Muslim, the announcement of Justice Jamal’s nomination to sit on the Supreme Court is news that will be celebrated.  In light of the racial reckoning that is happening across Canada, and the rise in Islamophobia this news couldn’t come at a better time,” he added.
Khan observed that the major high profile federal institutions like the House of Commons, Senate and the Supreme Court are still predominantly white, and that federal political leaders need to take actions to change that.  “This appointment of a person of colour and a Muslim to one of the most high profile and visible federal institutions will send a signal that things are changing.  However, there needs to be a greater effort by the Prime Minister and all federal party leaders to make sure that both houses of Parliament reflect Canada’s diversity,” Khan said.
He also urged the federal government “to ensure that the boards of directors and senior level decision makers of all crown corporations and federal agencies reflect the ethno-racial diversity of Canada, and this needs to be mandated by federal legislation or regulations.  These are actions that will help to remove the historical biases that have resulted in federal institutions not reflecting Canada’s diversity.”
Justice Jamal’s name was on a list of names provided to the Prime Minister by a special nomination committee chaired by former Prime Minister Kim Campbell.  He will appear before a special hearing of the House of Commons justice committee to answer questions from MPs and Senators that will be moderated by Marie-Eve Sylvestre, dean of the Civil Law section at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law.