Senator Salma Ataullahjan

Honourable senators, as many of you are aware, last week just 15 kilometres from where I currently stand before you, a Grade 3 teacher in Chelsea, Quebec was told she can no longer be allowed to teach because of the attire she chose to wear. Bill 21 is discriminatory and racist. Instead of ensuring the equality of all people in the province of Quebec, it creates two distinct classes: those who may pursue their career regardless of their faith and those who may not. I understand…

Honourable senators, I rise to speak to Bill S-211, short titled “Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act.” I would like to thank Senator Miville-Dechêne for reintroducing this important human rights bill. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the members of the All Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. This bill lifts the veil on the prevalence of modern slavery around the world, impacting at least 90 mi…

Honourable senators, following Senator Mobina Jaffer’s example, I think I have a two-and-a-half-minute speech. Honourable senators, I rise today to speak to Bill S-214, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day. Bill S-214 is a legislative proposal to designate February 21 as international mother language day. I would like to thank Senator Jaffer for reintroducing this and giving me the opportunity to speak again on the importance of proliferating mother languages.…

Honourable senators, I rise today to speak to Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate). I stand here in support of this bill and ask that this chamber unanimously pass this bill once again. Let me begin by thanking the sponsor of the bill, Senator Bovey, for her outstanding commitment and determination. This is the fourth iteration of this bill, and Senator Bovey has very eloquently articulated the importance of incorporati…