Islamophobic comments by chief of Alberta Human Rights Commission resurface

Muslims in Alberta and across the country are raising concerns after a racist book review written by the newly appointed chief of Alberta’s Human Rights Commission and Tribunals surfaced.

Lawyer Collin May received the appointment to lead the commission in May 2022. His five-year role is set to come into effect next week.

However, people are upset with May after a 2009 statement made by him in C2C Journal came to light this week.

In it, he wrote “Islam seems unable to make peace with its neighbours.” He also said that Islam was “not a peaceful religion,” and agreed with the views of the author of the book he reviewed, which said Islam is “an imperialistic religion seeking universal dominion over the whole earth.”

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) says it is deeply concerned by the views May expressed. The group calls his comments troubling and believes a person with those views would serve to create mistrust.

“The views Collin May expressed about Islam are very stereotypical, they are views that Muslims do not hold to, and unfortunately these types of views further contribute to the stigmatization of an entire community,” Said Omar, Alberta Advocacy Officer for the NCCM, told CityNews.

“We are deeply concerned when someone in his position, as the chief of Alberta’s Human Rights Commission, expresses such troubling and negative views that are not based in reality about an entire religious group.”

Omar says May’s appointment may discourage discriminated Muslims from filing a complaint with the commission over knowledge the chief’s views on Islam.

He adds the NCCM has engaged in good faith meetings with May and the government.

The group says it hopes to educate May on why his views on Islam are wrong and wants the community to be arbitrators of May’s efforts and sincerity.

Meanwhile, the New Democrats say the Alberta government needs to explain why it appointment someone with a record of hateful statements to the commission and then promoted him to chair.

“The statements published by Collin May in 2009 are overtly racist and Islamophobic. This explicit prejudice is — obviously — completely unacceptable for the chair of the Alberta Human Rights Commission, whose mandate is to combat exactly these kinds of hateful views,” Irfan Sabir, the NDP Justice Critic, said in a statement.

“Muslims in Canada are targeted for harassment, assault, and murder purely because of their faith. May has not apologized for his published statements or demonstrated that he has any insight into how they contribute to rising hate-motivated violence towards Muslims in Alberta and across Canada. He must apologize and step down or be removed from the commission,” Sabir added. 

At the time of May’s appointment, Justice Minister Tyler Shandro said he was thrilled someone with his skills and experience would serve in the role.

“This is a vital body that helps protect Albertans’ most important and sacred rights as equal persons,” he added.

Shandro’s office released a statement, saying the “government does not agree with the characterization of Islam or the position expressed in the book review.”

“We understand the concerns that have been brought forward by members of Alberta’s Muslim community,” the statement said.

“We believe one of our province’s greatest strengths is in our diversity, and we are committed to ensuring that Alberta is a welcoming province that everyone, regardless of religion or creed, feels respected and accepted in.”

CityNews reached out to May’s law office, as well as the Alberta Human Rights Commission, but did not receive any statements back in time for publishing.