The federal government has announced its intention to eliminate two significant offices dedicated to addressing religious discrimination by merging them into a new entity called the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion. The Offices of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia and the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism will be dissolved as part of this move.
Identity Minister Marc Miller stated during a press briefing on Parliament Hill that the decision aims to consolidate the functions of these two offices into a unified committee focusing on national unity and the promotion of rights, equity, and inclusion. He emphasized the importance of these offices in identifying divisive issues within the country and highlighted the transition to a broader national unity committee.
Miller clarified that the restructuring is not motivated by cost-saving measures. The Toronto Star initially reported on the abolishment of these offices.
Community organizations, including the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), expressed concerns over the closure of these offices. The NCCM emphasized the need for ongoing leadership in combatting Islamophobia and stated its commitment to monitoring the new advisory council’s activities. CIJA raised alarm about the rise of antisemitism and extremism in Canada and urged the government to prioritize meaningful actions through the advisory council.
B’nai Brith Canada also cautioned the government against diluting efforts to combat antisemitism and advocated for a dedicated commission of inquiry on the issue. The NCCM advocated for the establishment of a special representative to address Islamophobia, particularly following the tragic events involving the Afzaal family in London, Ontario, in 2021.
The appointment of Amira Elghawaby as the first representative to combat Islamophobia in January 2023 was met with controversy due to past criticisms of Quebec’s secularism legislation. The office of the Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism is presently vacant following the departure of the previous envoy, Deborah Lyons, in July 2025.
The Heritage Department confirmed that the composition of the new advisory council will be announced at a later date. The Bloc praised the decision to replace the abolished offices with the council as a step towards a more effective strategy against racism.