CCLA Calls on the Ontario Speaker to Lift His Ban on Keffiyehs

TORONTO — Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following statement:

“The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario recently banned the wearing of keffiyehs inside the Parliament’s Chamber as well as in the entire Legislative Building. His position is that keffiyehs are being worn to make an overt political statement, which would be against the legislature’s long-standing rule prohibiting members from wearing props, signage or accessories intended to express a political statement.”

“Since then, the leaders of all political parties in the legislature, including the Premier, have called on the Speaker to reverse his decision – in vain.”

“Much could be debated about whether or not generally banning the wearing of political props from the Parliament is desirable. The argument underlying this position, namely that the Legislative Assembly is somehow not the place for politics, is certainly questionable. But one thing is certain: it is not up to the Speaker to decide that a piece of clothing that unquestionably bears a cultural significance is now necessarily being worn as a political prop. Labeling a culturally significant piece of clothing such as the keffiyeh as a political prop, and banning it as a result, is discriminatory towards Arab communities and is a direct attack on freedom of expression.”

“As made clear by the Legislative Assembly Act, the Speaker is guardian of the rights of the Assembly’s members. He should not be using parliamentary privilege as an excuse to adopt orders that undermine some of the most basic human rights of its members and with it, those of any individual who wishes to enter the Legislative Building.”

“There is more. By upholding his ban despite the unanimous request made by leaders of all political parties in the legislature that it be lifted, the Speaker is exercising his powers in a profoundly anti-democratic way. The Speaker should remember that this is not his House. This is the People’s House.”

“Upholding this divisive ban would set a profoundly regrettable precedent. CCLA calls on the Speaker to put an end to it.”

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About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.

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