Birju Dattani resigned nearly six weeks after his appointment as the next head of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
By Raisa Patel
Ottawa Bureau
August 13, 2024
Credits @FFHR.CZ
OTTAWA — The Liberal government’s embattled pick to lead the Canadian Human Rights Commission announced Monday he has stepped down from the post, shortly after a government probe raised questions about Birju Dattani’s hiring process.
“I have agreed to resign as chief commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, effective today, August 12, 2024,” Dattani wrote in a LinkedIn post.
“I remain a steadfast believer in the commission’s work, mandate, and its importance to our democracy.”
Dattani, a human rights expert who had been due to start in the role last week, found himself at the centre of a political storm after Jewish groups and opposition politicians condemned his hiring due to past comments and events they deemed antisemitic.
The controversy renewed conversations about how vigorous the Trudeau government’s vetting processes are — a topic the government’s independent report was not mandated to address.
Justice Minister Arif Virani said Monday he had accepted Dattani’s resignation.
“A process to appoint a new chief commissioner will commence as soon as possible.
In the meantime, I am grateful to interim chief commissioner Charlotte-Anne Malischewski for her continued service to Canadians,” Virani said in a written statement.
Source: thestar.com
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