MNA Haroun Bouazzi apologizes for jab at CAQ ministers, but not for comments on racism

Québec Solidaire MNA Issues Apology Amid Racism Controversy at National Assembly

Québec Solidaire MNA Haroun Bouazzi, at the center of recent political controversy, apologized on Tuesday to two Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) ministers but did not retract his earlier comments about racism and the portrayal of ethnic and cultural groups at the National Assembly.

The Controversy

The debate began after Bouazzi delivered a speech last week at an event organized by Fondation Club Avenir, a community group supporting immigrants. During his speech, Bouazzi highlighted the "construction of this other," referring to how Maghrebi, Muslim, Black, and Indigenous cultures are often portrayed as dangerous or inferior. He also cited the suspension of 11 teachers at Bedford Elementary School in Montreal, linked to Quebec's secularism laws, as an example.

While Bouazzi praised efforts to combat racism, his comments led to accusations that he had labeled lawmakers as racists and undermined the National Assembly’s integrity.

Political Reactions and Motions

On Tuesday, three political parties in the National Assembly introduced motions in response to Bouazzi's remarks. The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) and the Parti Québécois (PQ) motions, which asserted that the National Assembly and its members are not racist, were adopted unanimously, with Bouazzi also voting in favor.

However, the CAQ's motion, which specifically demanded Bouazzi apologize and retract his statements, was rejected.

Bouazzi’s Apology

Earlier in the day, Bouazzi apologized via a post on X (formerly Twitter) for comments he made during a recent interview. In that interview, he had criticized Health Minister Christian Dubé and Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant, alleging they linked immigration to issues like surgical delays and challenges in youth protection.

"I apologize for this clumsiness that overshadowed the substance of my remarks," Bouazzi wrote, emphasizing that his intentions were never to target individuals or label anyone as racist. He clarified that he does not believe the National Assembly or its members are racist.

Ongoing Criticism

Despite the apology, Premier François Legault called Bouazzi’s statement “unclear” and urged him to explicitly acknowledge that his comments "didn’t make sense." Legault defended the need for open discussions about immigration, stating, "We have the right to say there are too many immigrants without being treated like racists."

Minister Lionel Carmant described the apology as a “first step” but insisted Bouazzi must extend his apology to all members of the National Assembly.

Wider Debate

The PLQ motion emphasized the importance of maintaining a consensus in the fight against racism and discrimination, asserting that remarks suggesting institutional racism could harm collaborative efforts.

PLQ MNA Monsef Derraji criticized Bouazzi’s approach, saying it implied witnessing negative portrayals daily without taking action. "I’d like to see him come up with concrete actions instead of making such claims," Derraji said.

Québec Solidaire’s Position

Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois acknowledged Bouazzi’s comments were “clumsy, exaggerated, and polarizing” but called for calm amid reported threats against the party’s offices and members.

Following Bouazzi’s apology, Nadeau-Dubois affirmed that the MNA had made his stance on racism at the National Assembly clear and urged others to move forward.

The controversy has sparked broader discussions on the portrayal of minorities and the role of elected officials in addressing racism and discrimination within political discourse.