Chair of Alberta Human Rights Commission asked to resign by justice minister, Muslim leaders

Calls for the chair of the Alberta Human Rights Commission to quit grew louder Monday after the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) asked Justice Minister Tyler Shandro for his resignation.

The calls for Collin May to step down stem from what many call an Islamophobic book review he wrote more than a decade ago, which claimed Islam was a “militaristic” religion.

Alberta’s Muslim leaders and organizations say numerous attempts to connect with May, make amends, and share the struggles Muslims face with discrimination, were ignored. The NCCM say they were disregarded when they reached out, despite public promises from May to do better.

Said Omar, the NCCM Alberta advocacy officer, says members of the organization were shocked and offended by how they were treated by May.

“They were still willing to engage with Mr. May, just so they could give him the opportunity, and see if he was willing to reflect on his actions, and to also just hear from them – their thoughts on the issue,” Omar explained. “Unfortunately Mr. May did not hold to his commitments, and unfortunately, this is where we’re at now.”

1. Today, over two dozen of Alberta’s leading Muslim organizations and mosques sent a letter to Minister @shandro asking for the resignation of the Chair of the Alberta Human Rights Commission, Collin May. pic.twitter.com/4rSmUF6FOe

— NCCM (@nccm) September 12, 2022

In an open letter written by the NCCM to Shandro, more than two dozen of Alberta’s leading Muslim organizations and mosques stood together asking that May cease operating as commissioner.

“We do not ask for resignations lightly. We are not interested in furthering a culture of reactionary culture wars — above all, we believe that our religion is premised on the notion of forgiveness and redemption,” the letter reads in part.

“However, we believe, as we know the majority of Albertans do, that while forgiveness should be there for everyone, justice requires accountability and taking ownership. A standard of justice is especially required for the Chair of the Alberta Human Rights Commission.”

A spokesperson for Shandro told CityNews that when the justice minster received the letter from the NCCM, he asked May why his promises to make amends were not honoured. While details from his conversation with May are not available, Shandro is calling for May to step down immediately.

CityNews has reached out to the Alberta Human Rights Commission for comment.