Liberal Government Conceals Deal After Funding Antisemitic Speaker
Ottawa, ON – Rachael Thomas, Conservative Shadow Minister for Canadian Identity and Culture, and Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, released the following statement:
“Conservatives are shocked and disgusted by the Liberal government’s decision to conceal the details of a secret settlement with Laith Marouf. Marouf is a raging antisemite who was awarded $122,661 by the Liberals as part of Canadian Heritage’s Anti-Racism Program to deliver anti-racism lectures.
“While receiving this significant amount from taxpayers, Marouf published vile antisemitic statements, including calling Jewish people ‘loud-mouthed bags of human feces,’ and even fantasized about shooting Jewish people.
“It was only after pressure from Conservatives that the Liberal government agreed to end their funding to Marouf and recover the taxpayer money he’d been given.
“Granting Marouf this money was a massive failure by the Liberals, and recovering the funds was the very least they could do to address the harm done to the Jewish community from this blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars.
“But now, through a written inquiry from Conservatives, we have learned that the Liberal government secretly struck a deal with Marouf and are refusing to make the details public. The Liberals failed to deliver on their promise and are trying to hide it from Canadians.
“At a time when antisemitism is rising across Canada, the government’s secrecy only deepens the hurt felt by the Jewish community and further erodes public trust. If the Liberals truly believe in combating hate, they must release the full details of this settlement and explain why they are protecting Laith Marouf.
“Conservatives will continue demanding transparency, accountability, and a full explanation for how this government allowed taxpayer dollars to be funnelled to someone who spread hatred and violence – then chose to cover it up. Canada deserves better.”