The House of Commons voted to pass M-103– the non-binding motion condemning Islamophobia and forms of systematic racism and discrimination– on March 23.
The motion was passed by a vote of 201 for and 91 against.
M-103, which was tabled by Mississauga–Erin Mills Liberal MP, Iqra Khalid in December 2016, has been at the centre of controversy, debate, and protests around the country, as those critical of the motion argued it limited freedom of speech.
M-103 calls on the “federal government to recognize the need to quell the increasing public climate of hate and fear (by) condemning Islamophobia and all forms of systematic racism and religious discrimination.”
The motion also requests that the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage “develop a whole-of-government approach to reducing or eliminating systemic racism and religious discrimination, including Islamophobia, in Canada.”
The motion was both welcomed and criticized on social media.
Proud of my colleague @iamIqraKhalid and the support of our government to motion #m103 #cdnpoli
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) March 23, 2017
Great to see @RonaAmbrose and 90 other #CPC MP’s stand with the majority of Canadians by opposing #M103. Unfortunately the motion passed.
— Robert Kolosowski🍁 (@Robert_k__) March 23, 2017
Congratulations MP Khalid 🇨🇦on the overwhelming vote in favour of #M103 😊
— Amenda AlSafadi (@AmendaWalton67) March 23, 2017
Those citing #freespeech to deny #m103 are the most privileged in society who feel threatened by this bastion of their privilege falling.
— Yadesha Satheaswaran (@YadeshaS) March 23, 2017
Proud to vote in favour of #M103 in the House as your rep for #ParkHP and the PS for #Multiculturalism My statement: https://t.co/hIloI5hHMa
— Arif Virani, MP (@viraniarif) March 23, 2017
#M103 “Islamophobia” Motion is approved by a vote of 201-91. I voted against. #cdnpoli
— Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) March 23, 2017