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.
"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."
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 andretracted those inaccurate and very, very inappropriatecomments 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?”
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.
Hilbert went on to accuse the NDP of unhelpful “virtue signalling.”
At the end of her speech, Speaker Todd Goudy told Hilbert, “I just want to caution the member on some of the accusations there — virtue signalling and others. Just please be careful with your comments.”
On Wednesday, Hilbert apologized in the assembly. "During my budget response speech, I made an inappropriatecomment regarding the federal NDP leader.
"I wish to apologize and withdraw my comment."
The issue has resonated with Saskatchewan Sikhs.
Harman Singh, a software developer in Regina, said Hilbert's remark stigmatizes Sikh Canadians in the province and he called on her to apologize to the community.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2025.
