REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says one of his legislature members made "very, very inappropriate comments" by calling federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh a terrorist, as a national organization representing Sikhs demands more accountability.
The World Sikh Organization of Canada said in a statement Thursday that more needs to be done to repair relations after the remark from Saskatchewan Party MLA Racquel Hilbert.
The organization called for Hilbert to be removed from her committee assignments and for all Saskatchewan Party members to undergo anti-racism and cultural sensitivity training.
“These comments are an insult not just to Jagmeet Singh but also contribute to the stigmatization and marginalization of Sikh Canadians,” the group's president, Danish Singh, said in a statement.
He said Hilbert repeated disinformation about Jagmeet Singh that's regularly disseminated in India because of the leader's criticism of the Indian government.
"Disinformation and hate speech must not be allowed to fester within Canadian political discourse. Public figures need to be held to the highest standard, and hateful rhetoric should be met with swift consequences," Danish Singh said.
Moe was pressed by the Opposition NDP during question period Thursday to “show some leadership” and condemn Hilbert’s remark.
“The member from Humboldt-Watrous has apologized and retracted those inaccurate and very, very inappropriate comments and I thank her for doing that,” Moe said.
He added that the programs and policies of his government show it's committed to building on and embracing the diversity of Saskatchewan’s people.
“This province most certainly has been built for over 100 years now from many people coming from many places all around the world, which is why our motto is 'From Many Peoples Strength,'” Moe said.
NDP deputy leader Vicki Mowat told the house that Hilbert’s remark appeared to be not off the cuff but scripted, amounting to “premeditated hate.”
“How can this premier and his government possibly claim to represent the people from diverse communities of Saskatchewan when they continue to have a member in their own caucus who holds and openly states such hateful views?” Mowat said.
Asked about Hilbert's comment while on the federal election campaign trail Wednesday, Jagmeet Singh said he didn’t take it personally but worries about the message being sent to children.
During a budget debate in the legislature March 25, Hilbert told the house the government has worked to build trade relations and open new markets.
But it's been "more difficult due to challenges presented by the federal government, propped up by the federal NDP, (a) federal NDP supported by this Opposition," she said.
“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," Hilbert said.
On Wednesday, Hilbert apologized in the assembly. "During my budget response speech, I made an inappropriate comment regarding the federal NDP leader.
"I wish to apologize and withdraw my comment."
The issue has resonated with Saskatchewan Sikhs.
"I was shocked," said Saskatoon resident Sukhwinder Singh. "I never thought this would be coming from somebody who's representing everyone, not just one community."
He said he agrees with Jagmeet Singh's statement that the comment hurts Canadian Sikh youth and called for Hilbert's resignation. "It can be hurtful because kids learn from the TV and ... you have to watch what you're saying on the media."
Harman Singh, a software developer in Regina, said he wants to hear a more genuine apology from Hilbert.
He said he knows other turban-wearing Sikh Canadians who have been called a "terrorist" before too, and he and others have had other racial slurs thrown at them because of their identity.
"'Terrorist' is an extreme word," he said. "I try my best to blend into the community. When these things happen, I feel like people are isolating me, and they're neglecting all the efforts I'm doing to be a good citizen here."
— By Fakiha Baig and Aaron Sousa in Edmonton, with files from David Baxter in Saskatoon
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2025.
The Canadian Press
