One might note that Canada’s new Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby, appears to stew in some of her own phobias.

Here I am describing phobias as more than irrational, uncontrollable and persistent fears about some object or group.  I am thinking more broadly of interpretations of history designed to denigrate the legitimacy of established social and political structures.  I agree that irrational fears of Islam should be quelled, especially if they result in hateful actions or words.  However, I see a credibility problem when the person given that mandate herself demeans the history and legitimacy of Canada, through shallow moralistic judgements.

Ms. Elghawaby describes Canada Day as a symbol of “European Judeo-Christian storytelling”*.  To her, our Head of State is a “powerful symbol of racial oppression”.  There is a simplistic truth in those words: Canada was largely colonized and created by Christian Europeans, serving foreign monarchs, who showed scant regard for the rights of indigenous peoples.  That is our history.

But in making moral judgements, the intent of those judged is of great importance.  In the early days of exploration, Canada was considered “terra nullius” – vacant land open for colonization.  The Papal “Doctrine of Discovery” provided religious legitimacy for exploration and colonization.  We have come to understand the enormous error of these judgements, but at the time there were no European voices condemning colonization.  Indeed, both church and state considered it a good thing.  Indigenous peoples would receive the benefits of European civilization.

By contemporary moral standards, the historical justifications for colonialism were delusional.  By the moral standards of the time, colonialism was justifiable and probably beneficent.

At the time of Confederation, Canada Day did indeed celebrate successful colonization as a Christian nation.  But that is not what it is now.  Today we celebrate a country based on human rights and racial tolerance, a country open to immigration from all races and faiths.  While I am in no way a fan of the monarchy in Canada, to judge the monarchs of today by the actions of their ancestors denies the possibility of growth and understanding.

In her new role, Ms. Elghawaby will combat intolerance against people of the Islamic faith.  She might take a look at her own intolerance as well.

*Toronto Star, June 29, 2021.