The federal government has announced its intention to eliminate two critical offices dedicated to addressing religious discrimination by merging them into a single entity called the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion. The Offices of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia and the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism will be dissolved as part of this restructuring.
Identity Minister Marc Miller explained that the decision involves integrating these positions into a new committee focused on national unity and advising on rights, equity, and inclusion. He emphasized the significant roles both offices played in identifying divisive issues within the country and highlighted the transition to a national unity committee as the next phase.
Minister Miller clarified that the consolidation is not a cost-saving measure but a strategic move to enhance the government’s advisory capabilities. The Toronto Star was the first to report on the abolishment of these offices.
Community organizations, such as the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), expressed concerns and intentions to monitor the new council’s actions. The NCCM criticized the closure of the Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia and emphasized the need for dedicated leadership in combating Islamophobia.
CIJA’s CEO, Noah Shack, highlighted the escalating challenges of antisemitism and extremism across the country and stressed the importance of the federal government’s leadership in addressing these issues effectively. B’nai Brith Canada also cautioned the government against diluting efforts to combat antisemitism and advocated for a comprehensive approach, including a commission of inquiry on antisemitism.
The NCCM advocated for the establishment of a special representative to combat Islamophobia following the tragic events involving the Afzaal family in London, Ontario, in 2021. Amira Elghawaby’s appointment as the first representative to the office in January 2023 was met with controversy due to past criticisms of Quebec’s secularism legislation.
Furthermore, the Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism’s office is currently vacant following the departure of Deborah Lyons in July 2025. Lyons resigned before completing her term, citing personal reasons and a desire to focus on family. The Heritage Department announced that a new appointee would be named in the future.
The department indicated that details about the composition of the advisory council would be disclosed at a later date. The Bloc supported the decision to eliminate the specialized positions and replace them with the advisory council, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive approach to combat racism.
