FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3 May 2011
Peter Shurman calls on Premier to reassess grant
(Queen’s Park) – Peter Shurman, MPP for Thornhill rose today in the Legislature and called on the Premier to reassess the funding his government approved for Pride Toronto. Shurman questioned the Minister of Citizenship on how his government could fund potentially hate inciting activities and / or events. Shurman was referring to the organization; Queers Against Israeli Apartheid, which, while they have said they will not march in the parade, have provided no guarantee they will not participate in any other Pride Week activities under the QAIA banner.
Shurman tabled the Israeli Apartheid Week resolution last year that received all party support, condemning the use of the term Israeli Apartheid. “The Ontario Legislature endorsed my motion in early 2010 which condemned the use of the term “Apartheid” and agreed with my perspective that Israel cannot be characterized in this way because it is a democracy much like Canada,” stated Shurman.
Shurman is demanding the Premier reassess the funding of an event that allows people to express hateful sentiments under the banner of a celebration on behalf of the Pride Community. Shurman emphasized, “It is a shame that such a wonderful event, supported by taxpayer dollars can include groups who spew derogatory and hateful language. I told the Premier, “You handed out $400,000 of Ontario taxpayer money— no strings attached, no conditions to ensure the money will not be used to fund the hateful and hurtful activities of QAIA.”
Shurman says he will continue to press for a review of this grant in the Ontario Legislature. He expects the McGuinty government to do the right thing on a matter of such importance to the Jewish community and support this review.
-30-
For Media Inquiries Contact:
Debbie Osske
Executive Assistant
Office of Peter Shurman, MPP – Thornhill
(416) 903-4485
debbie.osske@pc.ola.org
www.petershurman.com