Canada`s ruling Liberal Party and opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) have reached a surprise agreement that aims to keep the minority government in power until 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.

Governments with a minority of seats in parliament, like the one Trudeau now leads, tend to last an average of about two years, but this rare agreement could permit it to last the entire four-year term, Trudeau said.

"What this means is that during this uncertain time, the government can function with predictability and stability, present and implement budgets, and get things done for Canadians," Trudeau said.

The two parties published a list of priorities they had agreed upon. The Liberals agreed to back a national dental-care program for low-income Canadians and to move forward on a national prescription-drug coverage program, both cornerstone campaign pledges for the NDP.

The Liberals and New Democrats also said they would develop a plan to phase out financing for the fossil fuel sector, starting in 2022.

Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015, will be able to deliver on his main campaign promises, like fighting climate change or addressing a national housing shortage.

"We have a document ... that will be used to analyze and verify the government`s actions," New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters. "We will use our power to help people."

Singh six months ago ruled out a deal to keep the minority Liberal government in power, but added he was willing to support Trudeau on a case-by-case basis.

Opposition Conservative leader Candice Bergen said Canadians had been "hoodwinked" and "deceived" by Trudeau.

"This is nothing more than a Justin Trudeau power grab," Bergen said, adding that it would lead to "the decimation" of the country`s oil and gas sector. Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet called the deal a "false majority" that betrayed last year`s vote.

In the House of Commons, the deal will give the government 184 total votes. A majority is 170 and the Liberals have 159 by themselves. Singh said the deal would stay in place as long as the Liberals lived up to their commitments.

Trudeau has failed to gain a majority of seats in parliament in the past two elections. So the left-leaning NDP has backed Trudeau in key votes since 2019, but this agreement formalizes future support.

While a so-called "supply and confidence agreement" is not unheard of in Canadian politics, it is unprecedented to have such an agreement in writing at the federal level.

In 2004, Conservative leader Stephen Harper sought to unite the opposition to bring down Paul Martin`s Liberal government, but failed. However in 2017 an NDP government in British Columbia functioned with the informal support of the Green Party until 2020.

The deal does not create a formal coalition and the New Democrats will not be part of Trudeau`s cabinet.

Canada`s ruling Liberal Party and opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) have reached a surprise agreement that aims to keep the minority government in power until 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.

Canada`s ruling Liberal Party and opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) have reached a surprise agreement that aims to keep the minority government in power until 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. Governments with a minority of seats in parliament, like the one Trudeau now leads, tend to last an average of about two years, but this rare agreement could permit it to last the entire four-year term, Trudeau said. "What this means is that during this uncertain time, the government can function with predictability and stability, present and implement budgets, and get things done for Canadians," Trudeau said. The two parties published a list of priorities they had agreed upon. The Liberals agreed to back a national dental-care program for low-income Canadians and to move forward on a national prescription-drug coverage program, both cornerstone campaign pledges for the NDP. The Liberals and New Democrats also said they would develop a plan to phase out financing for the fossil fuel sector, starting in 2022. Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015, will be able to deliver on his main campaign promises, like fighting climate change or addressing a national housing shortage. "We have a document ... that will be used to analyze and verify the government`s actions," New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters. "We will use our power to help people." Singh six months ago ruled out a deal to keep the minority Liberal government in power, but added he was willing to support Trudeau on a case-by-case basis. Opposition Conservative leader Candice Bergen said Canadians had been "hoodwinked" and "deceived" by Trudeau. "This is nothing more than a Justin Trudeau power grab," Bergen said, adding that it would lead to "the decimation" of the country`s oil and gas sector. Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet called the deal a "false majority" that betrayed last year`s vote. In the House of Commons, the deal will give the government 184 total votes. A majority is 170 and the Liberals have 159 by themselves. Singh said the deal would stay in place as long as the Liberals lived up to their commitments. Trudeau has failed to gain a majority of seats in parliament in the past two elections. So the left-leaning NDP has backed Trudeau in key votes since 2019, but this agreement formalizes future support. While a so-called "supply and confidence agreement" is not unheard of in Canadian politics, it is unprecedented to have such an agreement in writing at the federal level. In 2004, Conservative leader Stephen Harper sought to unite the opposition to bring down Paul Martin`s Liberal government, but failed. However in 2017 an NDP government in British Columbia functioned with the informal support of the Green Party until 2020. The deal does not create a formal coalition and the New Democrats will not be part of Trudeau`s cabinet.

Canadian PM Trudeau strikes surprise deal to keep power until 2025

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his Liberal Party has reached an agreement with the leftist opposition New Democratic Party that would keep his party in power until 2025.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau strikes new deal to stay in power until 2025

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reached a deal with the opposition leftist New Democrats on paid sick leave for all Canadian workers during the pandemic, avoiding possible snap elections.

The minority Liberal government earlier this week had in a so-called throne speech proposed sweeping new measures to help Canadians weather a second Covid-19 wave.

But its agenda and a bill to enact key parts of it faced possible defeat in parliament, as the Tories and Bloc Quebecois withheld their support and the New Democratic Party (NDP) made demands for increased social spending to prop up the government.

With the defeat of the bill -- and its agenda -- the government would have fallen.

In a last-ditch effort to gain NDP support, the Liberals boosted a weekly benefit for those unable to work during the Covid-19 outbreak, including to care for children or relatives.

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And it agreed to NDP demands for the two week paid sick leave for workers who must isolate after being exposed to the new coronavirus.

In exchange, the NDP said it would back the bill as well as support the government's agenda in a confidence vote that is expected to follow in the coming weeks.

"If this agreement is reflected in the bill," NDP leader Jagmeet Singh told a news conference, "we will support the bill, and we will also support the throne speech."

The bill is to be presented to parliament on Monday.&nbsp;

Singh would not disclose the specific amendments to it, except to say Liberal concessions will mean "millions rather than thousands" more Canadians will have access to paid sick leave.

Singh called the agreement a "historic moment" and "a major victory for Canadian workers."

"People who are worried about getting sick in this pandemic will now know when this legislation passes, that there will be paid sick leave for them," he said.

Liberal House of Commons leader Pablo Rodriguez also touted the agreement with the NDP, saying in a Twitter message the bill "will deliver the help that Canadians need."

"We are entering the second wave and millions of Canadians are still struggling to make ends meet," he said. "It's by working together that we will get through this pandemic."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reached a deal with the opposition leftist New Democrats on paid sick leave for all Canadian workers during the pandemic, avoiding possible snap elections.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reached a deal with the opposition leftist New Democrats on paid sick leave for all Canadian workers during the pandemic, avoiding possible snap elections. The minority Liberal government earlier this week had in a so-called throne speech proposed sweeping new measures to help Canadians weather a second Covid-19 wave. But its agenda and a bill to enact key parts of it faced possible defeat in parliament, as the Tories and Bloc Quebecois withheld their support and the New Democratic Party (NDP) made demands for increased social spending to prop up the government. With the defeat of the bill -- and its agenda -- the government would have fallen. In a last-ditch effort to gain NDP support, the Liberals boosted a weekly benefit for those unable to work during the Covid-19 outbreak, including to care for children or relatives. × And it agreed to NDP demands for the two week paid sick leave for workers who must isolate after being exposed to the new coronavirus. In exchange, the NDP said it would back the bill as well as support the government's agenda in a confidence vote that is expected to follow in the coming weeks. "If this agreement is reflected in the bill," NDP leader Jagmeet Singh told a news conference, "we will support the bill, and we will also support the throne speech." The bill is to be presented to parliament on Monday. Singh would not disclose the specific amendments to it, except to say Liberal concessions will mean "millions rather than thousands" more Canadians will have access to paid sick leave. Singh called the agreement a "historic moment" and "a major victory for Canadian workers." "People who are worried about getting sick in this pandemic will now know when this legislation passes, that there will be paid sick leave for them," he said. Liberal House of Commons leader Pablo Rodriguez also touted the agreement with the NDP, saying in a Twitter message the bill "will deliver the help that Canadians need." "We are entering the second wave and millions of Canadians are still struggling to make ends meet," he said. "It's by working together that we will get through this pandemic."

Deal on paid sick leave for all Canadians should avert snap elections

Within the space of a few moments, Jagmeet Singh became one of Canada&rsquo;s most admired politicians. His cool-under-pressure reaction to being confronted by an angry heckler is just one of the reasons Singh is considered to be the favourite contender for leadership of the federal New Democratic Party.

A video of the Sept. 6 incident at Singh&rsquo;s campaign event in Brampton, Ont., went viral and has been viewed millions of times in Canada and around the world. Moments into the event, an angry white woman interrupted Singh and shouted Islamophobic and vitriolic statements at him, and physically gesticulated, demonstrating her feeling of entitlement &mdash; to space, voice and position - in relation to others at the event.

Singh seemed undeterred by the outburst. His response to her rant was <a href="https://youtu.be/j2onmR-oBIY" nofollow="" rel="">to rally his audience to help him relay his campaign message</a>. He asked his guests to chant: &ldquo;Love and courage.&rdquo;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="445" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j2onmR-oBIY" width="754"></iframe>

What is the nature of Singh&rsquo;s call for love? His political slogan is based on a message of universal love and courage. Singh&rsquo;s message &mdash; and chant that evening &mdash; is uniquely situated among the slogans of the <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2017/09/16/the-four-candidates-who-would-lead-the-ndp.html" nofollow="" rel="">three other candidates</a>: <a href="http://www.charlieangusndp.ca/" nofollow="" rel="">Charlie Angus</a> &ldquo;Got your back,&rdquo; <a href="http://www.nikiashton2017.ca/" nofollow="" rel="">Niki Ashton</a> &ldquo;Building a movement, together,&rdquo; and <a href="http://en.guycaron.ca/" nofollow="" rel="">Guy Caron,</a> &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s Build a Progressive and Sustainable Economy.&rdquo;

The dramatic events at the Sept. 6 meeting demonstrate something about Singh, as a person and as a candidate. It also points to new undercurrents of religion and spirituality and its role &mdash; not only in Canadian politics&nbsp;but also in the leadership race for the NDP.

Singh&rsquo;s campaign and potential leadership arrive in a <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-trump-emboldening-right-wing-extremism-in-canada-82635" nofollow="" rel="">climate of increasing hatred</a>, fear and division. His call for universal love is coherent with Sikhism, which challenges the division between daily life and a devotional love that guides all thought and action. How does the language of love and courage relate to a New Democratic Party trying to find its way in a shifting political landscape?

Singh&rsquo;s outward appearance solicits questions from some Canadians &mdash; as in the case of the heckler &mdash; regarding his secular position: To what degree does Singh&rsquo;s religion relate to his policy ideas or conduct?

Canada: Judeo-Christian values?

Canadian political institutions and traditions are imbued with Judeo-Christian values and symbols. Yet the separation of church and state maintains religion does not dictate the making of policy and law. However, in the game of politics, courting ethno-racial, national and religious identified voters has become a central art of party campaign strategists.

Political parties of all persuasions have had to navigate this division in a variety of ways. In Canada, the left social democratic tradition, represented now by the NDP, has had less experience with faith-based movements and the religious identity of its leaders than their right-wing counterparts and left-leaning parties elsewhere in the world. Singh&rsquo;s leadership challenge will likely change that.

While Singh is positioned as a secular politician, his ethos, sense of justice and formation of his identity is connected to a Sikh practice. The very essence of the message of universal love and courage is embedded in a Sikh devotion, rather than a secular idea of loving all humankind. Practising Sikhism defines a way of life &mdash; one that is contemplative, meditative and committed to spiritualism and positive actions.

The Clash of Civilizations

To understand the contemporary role of religion in politics, we need to look at one of our turning points: 9/11. The attacks on New York City and the Pentagon served as a marker of the time foreign and domestic policy in <a href="https://theconversation.com/9-11-anniversary-understanding-extremist-motives-could-stop-further-violence-83773" nofollow="" rel="">North America was called upon to name Islamic terrorism as a universal enemy</a>.

Once North America and other western governments embraced <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/1993-06-01/clash-civilizations" nofollow="" rel="">the rhetoric of a civilization divide</a>, the psyche of liberal democratic nations split apart. The already tenuous divide between the religious and secular began to rupture further.

This reinforced a binary division and <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/clash-ignorance/" nofollow="" rel="">emboldened a powerful discourse of racism and Islamophobia</a>. The basic premise is that Islam represents something universally distinct from Christian belief systems.

This <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/books/review/14yoshino.html" nofollow="" rel="">discourse of racism and difference</a> has gained strength and societal control through the election of conservative governments with moral platforms that build on fears and anxieties of susceptible citizens.

Sixteen years of corrosive discourses since 9/11 has led to: Us vs. Them, the Clash of Civilizations and racism. We are now at the point of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/quiet-canadian-ugly-american-does-racism-differ-north-of-the-border-81388" nofollow="" rel="">normalization of white supremacy</a> .&nbsp;It is no longer an oddity or a left-wing conspiracy theory to discuss the presence of fascism and neo-Nazis &mdash; these are events widely circulated in our social media feeds and featured during the evening new .

Religious discrimination in Canada

Islamophobia and racism are often understood to be twinned structures of oppression. In many ways they are, but there are complex differences between them. They disseminate and exist in different political, cultural and social taxonomies.

<a href="http://www.mediaed.org/transcripts/Edward-Said-The-Myth-of-Clash-Civilizations-Transcript.pdf" nofollow="" rel="">Islamophobia operates through systems of stereotypes</a>, often misunderstanding or misrepresenting the traditions, religious practices and customs of highly diverse ethno-national and racial communities. <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/10/is-islamophobia-real-maher-harris-aslan/381411/" nofollow="" rel="">Islamophobia</a> has been manufactured in multiple ways in society through popular culture, media, policy and criminalizing targeting Islam and Muslims.

Racism is a larger systemic operation of power denigrating one race while validating or elevating another.

When the Harper Conservatives were in government, they attempted to map onto Canadian national values a form of social conservatism. This was articulated through a distinction between Canada and the &ldquo;<a href="https://theconversation.com/media-portrays-indigenous-and-muslim-youth-as-savages-and-barbarians-79153" nofollow="" rel="">barbaric cultural practices&rdquo; of others</a>.

The clear lines that were being drawn between what <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2675751009/" nofollow="" rel="">Harper referred to as &ldquo;old stock Canadians&rdquo;</a> during a 2015 federal leaders&rsquo; debate brought into discourse front and center the relationship between white supremacy and Islamophobia. It connected the dots between a normative white Christian Canadian identity that could stand against the racialized others.

Now the Conservative Party has a leader who proudly accepts the label: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AndrewScheerMP/videos/1532870230080057/" nofollow="" rel="">&ldquo;Harper with a Smile.&rdquo;</a>&ldquo; Andrew Scheer has the support of social conservatives in the Conservative Party. He has steadfastly <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/scheer-five-things-policies-1.4137120" nofollow="" rel="">supported free speech over the condemnation of Islamophobia</a> and was absent during the House of Commons vote for the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/03/23/m-103-anti-islamophobia-motion-house-passes_n_15567120.html" nofollow="" rel="">Anti-Islamophobia Motion M-103</a>, overwhelmingly passed in the House of Commons.

When losing your cool is not an option

Singh said his ability to remain cool under pressure was largely owed to his experience of being a brown, Sikh and turbaned man, growing up in the 1980s in Brampton, Ont., just northwest of Toronto.

His past experiences of religious and racist intolerance helped to fortify him against racist language and assault.

In the moment in which the racist woman yelled at him, she assumed he was a Muslim. Many wondered why Singh did not attempt to correct her misconceived perception; he is not a Muslim, but rather, a Sikh.

Suggesting such a distinction in the moment, he said, would only further the misunderstanding that somehow being Muslim means such treatment is considered justifiable. His reaction, he said, should not be to proclaim his religion. By not correcting this misconception, Singh was acting in solidarity against Islamophobia.

Sikhs have been affected throughout the post-9/11 discourses of Islamophobia, mainly because of this misunderstood identity. In the U.S., and elsewhere, there has been a <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/columnists/sikhs-have-been-living-in-fear-of-hate-crimes-since-911/article4468643/?arc404=true" nofollow="" rel="">rise in hate bias attacks against Sikhs</a>, with the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/us/shooting-reported-at-temple-in-wisconsin.html" nofollow="" rel="">2012 Oak Creek, Wis., shooting</a> as a visible example.

While there are those who, in the similar vein as Singh, has sought to challenge Islamophobia by standing in solidarity, there have also been many instances where Sikhs in America, the U.K. and Canada painstakingly distinguish themselves from Muslims.

However, in countless examples, when Islamophobia is experienced in the public sphere against properly identified Muslims, there has been a lack of outcry.

In Canada, the <a href="https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/quebec-city-mosque-shooting-what-we-know-so-far/article33826078/" nofollow="" rel="">shooting deaths in Quebec&rsquo;s Sainte-Foy&rsquo;s Mosque</a>, in which Azzedine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubakar Thabthi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry, and Ibrahim Barry were killed, was unmistakably an act of terrorism. Canadians across the country mourned this tragedy. And yet was it recognized as an act of terrorism against the citizens of this state?

The day-to-day effects of Islamophobia have led to many <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hate-crimes-muslims-statscan-1.4158042" nofollow="" rel="">Muslims living with heightened experiences of fear</a> and not knowing what they might encounter on a walk to school, a day at work or even waiting for a bus.

The left social-democrats of the NDP hold steadfastly to their conception of justice, fairness and equality in a secular world. The ways in which people are encountering the public today, however, is seemingly much murkier than these stark divisions.

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/83857/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />The issues of racism, religious intolerance and social justice are not central issues for any federal political party. These issues, however, should no longer be viewed as separate from major policy platforms including health, welfare reform, employment, national defence, national security, aboriginal relations and education. Perhaps a political leader such as Jagmeet Singh will be able to navigate these debates with an alacrity and style we have yet to witness in the Canadian political world.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" nofollow="" rel="">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/jagmeet-singh-battles-racism-in-canadian-politics-with-love-83857" nofollow="" rel="">original article</a>.

Singh, one of Canada?s most admired politicians, has based his political slogan on a message of universal love and courage.

Within the space of a few moments, Jagmeet Singh became one of Canada’s most admired politicians. His cool-under-pressure reaction to being confronted by an angry heckler is just one of the reasons Singh is considered to be the favourite contender for leadership of the federal New Democratic Party. A video of the Sept. 6 incident at Singh’s campaign event in Brampton, Ont., went viral and has been viewed millions of times in Canada and around the world. Moments into the event, an angry white woman interrupted Singh and shouted Islamophobic and vitriolic statements at him, and physically gesticulated, demonstrating her feeling of entitlement — to space, voice and position - in relation to others at the event. Singh seemed undeterred by the outburst. His response to her rant was to rally his audience to help him relay his campaign message. He asked his guests to chant: “Love and courage.” What is the nature of Singh’s call for love? His political slogan is based on a message of universal love and courage. Singh’s message — and chant that evening — is uniquely situated among the slogans of the three other candidates: Charlie Angus “Got your back,” Niki Ashton “Building a movement, together,” and Guy Caron, “Let’s Build a Progressive and Sustainable Economy.” The dramatic events at the Sept. 6 meeting demonstrate something about Singh, as a person and as a candidate. It also points to new undercurrents of religion and spirituality and its role — not only in Canadian politics but also in the leadership race for the NDP. Singh’s campaign and potential leadership arrive in a climate of increasing hatred, fear and division. His call for universal love is coherent with Sikhism, which challenges the division between daily life and a devotional love that guides all thought and action. How does the language of love and courage relate to a New Democratic Party trying to find its way in a shifting political landscape? Singh’s outward appearance solicits questions from some Canadians — as in the case of the heckler — regarding his secular position: To what degree does Singh’s religion relate to his policy ideas or conduct? Canada: Judeo-Christian values? Canadian political institutions and traditions are imbued with Judeo-Christian values and symbols. Yet the separation of church and state maintains religion does not dictate the making of policy and law. However, in the game of politics, courting ethno-racial, national and religious identified voters has become a central art of party campaign strategists. Political parties of all persuasions have had to navigate this division in a variety of ways. In Canada, the left social democratic tradition, represented now by the NDP, has had less experience with faith-based movements and the religious identity of its leaders than their right-wing counterparts and left-leaning parties elsewhere in the world. Singh’s leadership challenge will likely change that. While Singh is positioned as a secular politician, his ethos, sense of justice and formation of his identity is connected to a Sikh practice. The very essence of the message of universal love and courage is embedded in a Sikh devotion, rather than a secular idea of loving all humankind. Practising Sikhism defines a way of life — one that is contemplative, meditative and committed to spiritualism and positive actions. The Clash of Civilizations To understand the contemporary role of religion in politics, we need to look at one of our turning points: 9/11. The attacks on New York City and the Pentagon served as a marker of the time foreign and domestic policy in North America was called upon to name Islamic terrorism as a universal enemy. Once North America and other western governments embraced the rhetoric of a civilization divide, the psyche of liberal democratic nations split apart. The already tenuous divide between the religious and secular began to rupture further. This reinforced a binary division and emboldened a powerful discourse of racism and Islamophobia. The basic premise is that Islam represents something universally distinct from Christian belief systems. This discourse of racism and difference has gained strength and societal control through the election of conservative governments with moral platforms that build on fears and anxieties of susceptible citizens. Sixteen years of corrosive discourses since 9/11 has led to: Us vs. Them, the Clash of Civilizations and racism. We are now at the point of the normalization of white supremacy . It is no longer an oddity or a left-wing conspiracy theory to discuss the presence of fascism and neo-Nazis — these are events widely circulated in our social media feeds and featured during the evening new . Religious discrimination in Canada Islamophobia and racism are often understood to be twinned structures of oppression. In many ways they are, but there are complex differences between them. They disseminate and exist in different political, cultural and social taxonomies. Islamophobia operates through systems of stereotypes, often misunderstanding or misrepresenting the traditions, religious practices and customs of highly diverse ethno-national and racial communities. Islamophobia has been manufactured in multiple ways in society through popular culture, media, policy and criminalizing targeting Islam and Muslims. Racism is a larger systemic operation of power denigrating one race while validating or elevating another. When the Harper Conservatives were in government, they attempted to map onto Canadian national values a form of social conservatism. This was articulated through a distinction between Canada and the “barbaric cultural practices” of others. The clear lines that were being drawn between what Harper referred to as “old stock Canadians” during a 2015 federal leaders’ debate brought into discourse front and center the relationship between white supremacy and Islamophobia. It connected the dots between a normative white Christian Canadian identity that could stand against the racialized others. Now the Conservative Party has a leader who proudly accepts the label: “Harper with a Smile.”“ Andrew Scheer has the support of social conservatives in the Conservative Party. He has steadfastly supported free speech over the condemnation of Islamophobia and was absent during the House of Commons vote for the Anti-Islamophobia Motion M-103, overwhelmingly passed in the House of Commons. When losing your cool is not an option Singh said his ability to remain cool under pressure was largely owed to his experience of being a brown, Sikh and turbaned man, growing up in the 1980s in Brampton, Ont., just northwest of Toronto. His past experiences of religious and racist intolerance helped to fortify him against racist language and assault. In the moment in which the racist woman yelled at him, she assumed he was a Muslim. Many wondered why Singh did not attempt to correct her misconceived perception; he is not a Muslim, but rather, a Sikh. Suggesting such a distinction in the moment, he said, would only further the misunderstanding that somehow being Muslim means such treatment is considered justifiable. His reaction, he said, should not be to proclaim his religion. By not correcting this misconception, Singh was acting in solidarity against Islamophobia. Sikhs have been affected throughout the post-9/11 discourses of Islamophobia, mainly because of this misunderstood identity. In the U.S., and elsewhere, there has been a rise in hate bias attacks against Sikhs, with the 2012 Oak Creek, Wis., shooting as a visible example. While there are those who, in the similar vein as Singh, has sought to challenge Islamophobia by standing in solidarity, there have also been many instances where Sikhs in America, the U.K. and Canada painstakingly distinguish themselves from Muslims. However, in countless examples, when Islamophobia is experienced in the public sphere against properly identified Muslims, there has been a lack of outcry. In Canada, the shooting deaths in Quebec’s Sainte-Foy’s Mosque, in which Azzedine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubakar Thabthi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry, and Ibrahim Barry were killed, was unmistakably an act of terrorism. Canadians across the country mourned this tragedy. And yet was it recognized as an act of terrorism against the citizens of this state? The day-to-day effects of Islamophobia have led to many Muslims living with heightened experiences of fear and not knowing what they might encounter on a walk to school, a day at work or even waiting for a bus. The left social-democrats of the NDP hold steadfastly to their conception of justice, fairness and equality in a secular world. The ways in which people are encountering the public today, however, is seemingly much murkier than these stark divisions. The issues of racism, religious intolerance and social justice are not central issues for any federal political party. These issues, however, should no longer be viewed as separate from major policy platforms including health, welfare reform, employment, national defence, national security, aboriginal relations and education. Perhaps a political leader such as Jagmeet Singh will be able to navigate these debates with an alacrity and style we have yet to witness in the Canadian political world. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Jagmeet Singh battles racism in Canadian politics with love