Canada’s federal judges could soon be getting a lesson in wokeness.
A bill requiring federal judges to undergo sexual assault training has been amended to include training on systemic racism and discrimination.
MP Rheal Fortin of the Bloc Quebecois was the only vote against the amendment, saying it went off track considering the original bill involved sexual assault training.
“It’s like we’d gone off to buy potatoes at the store, and we returned home with strawberries,” Fortin commented in French. “I’m sorry, but that doesn’t work.”
Fortin also argued that there is no definition of ‘Systemic Racism’ defined in the bill, leaving it open to interpretation.
Other critics suggest such a bill could set a precedent to allow governments to use training requirements to advance policy goals and political agendas.
Liberal MP Greg Fergus suggested the update which was approved with Conservative, Liberal and NDP support. The bill must now pass in the House of Commons and Senate.
The original bill which was tabled by Conservative MP Rona Ambrose.
