Premier David Eby made the announcement during a Monday media event
Selina Robinson is stepping down as B.C.’s minister of advanced education and higher learning after calling Gaza a “crappy piece of land with nothing on it.”
Eby said Robinson has committed to further meetings with the Muslim community as well as anti-Islamophobia-training.When asked why Robinson is staying in caucus when former New Democrat Adam Walker did not over a human resources complaint, Eby said the situations are different.He noted that Robinson, who is Jewish, had been an exceptional leader in reaching out to the Jewish community following Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct.
Nico Slobinsky, vice president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ pacific region, called the removal of Robinson “distressing” in the face of an “alarming increase” in anti-Semitism. The National Council of Canadian Muslims, meanwhile, said on X that it appreciated the engagement with Eby’s office and his decision to take action.
Eby’s announcement came just hours after a group of demonstrators pushed their way into a Surrey hotel Monday morning, where BC NDP MLAs were attending a retreat.