Montreal, October 11, 2026
The Canadian Muslim Forum (FMC-CMF) expresses serious concern over media reports concerning Katy Merrifield, campaign director of the Conservative Party of British Columbia (B.C. Conservatives), and social media content attributed to her targeting Islam and its followers.
According to media reports, Merrifield published or shared statements including “f*ck Islam,” described Islam as an “abhorrent ideology ”. Such language goes far beyond legitimate criticism of extremism and risks stigmatizing an entire faith and its followers.
FMC-CMF firmly rejects the use of terms such as Islamism as a pretext for hostility toward Islam and Muslim Canadians. The selective application of sweeping labels to Muslims, rarely applied in comparable ways to other communities, raises serious concerns about double standards.
FMC-CMF calls on the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives to publicly address these reports, establish whether the party’s standards have been breached, and take appropriate corrective action. The party must clearly explain how it will ensure that senior campaign officials are held to the same standards of respect and non-discrimination expected of others in public life. A vague statement of concern is not sufficient; the public deserves a clear response and meaningful action.
Islamophobia must not be normalized in Canadian political discourse. Freedom of expression protects legitimate debate; it does not absolve political leaders of their responsibility to confront rhetoric that stigmatizes an entire community.
FMC-CMF remains committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and upholding the fundamental human and Canadian values of dignity, equality, mutual respect, inclusion, and shared citizenship.
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Media Contact
Canadian Muslim Forum (FMC-CMF)
