Humboldt Watrous MLA Racquel Hilbert issued an apology on Wednesday for a statement she made in the legislature calling the federal New Democratic Party leader ‘a terrorist.’
Hilbert made the comment during a debate on the provincial economy and the efforts of the Sask Party government to secure trade agreements with international partners.
“It’s been more difficult due to challenges presented by the federal government, propped up by the federal NDP, supported by this opposition. We did not hear the opposition denounce their federal leader as being a terrorist in India, and denounce the collateral trade damage to Western Canada,” said Hilbert during her submission on the floor.
Following the remark, House Speaker Todd Goudy, Sask Party MLA from the neighbouring constituency of Melfort, cautioned Hilbert after a remark about the New Democrats’ “virtue signalling.”
Goudy had no statement on why Hilbert’s remark about federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh did not receive immediate rebuke.
Following the session, Hilbert issued the following written statement:
“I recently made an inaccurate and inappropriate statement about the federal NDP leader. I apologize for and withdraw that statement.”
Singh questioned MLA Hilbert’s comments while meeting with reporters on the campaign trail in Richmond, BC, asking why someone would offer such a comment.
“This is an MLA, someone who’s an elected official, respected member of their community, a former teacher,” Singh offered. “What’s happened in this MLA’s life for them to say that about me?
Response from the provincial NDP was quick with Saskatoon University - Sutherland MLA Tajinder Grewal emailing the following statement.
“The Sask. Party government is supposed to represent all people in the province, regardless of their religion or culture. The comments made by this Sask. Party MLA are deeply hurtful and hateful to the Sikh community – a community which contributes so much to our province. Saskatchewan's motto is ‘From Many Peoples, Strength.’ Racism has no place in our province and certainly no place in the provincial government.”
Grewal said he’ll consult with members of the Sikh community about Hilbert’s comments and further response.
Hilbert’s office has been contacted requesting further comment.