Sask. Party MLA apologizes for calling Jagmeet Singh a terrorist

A Saskatchewan Party MLA has apologized for describing federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh as a terrorist.

Racquel Hilbert, MLA for Humboldt-Watrous, rose in the legislature on March 25, during debate on the provincial budget.

As she condemned the Saskatchewan NDP, she turned her comments to Singh and his decision to support the government of former Liberal leader Justin Trudeau through a supply and confidence agreement.

"We did not hear the Opposition denounce their federal leader as being a terrorist in India and announced the collateral trade damage to Western Canada," Hilbert said.

It's not clear what exactly Hilbert was referring to in her comment. Singh condemned the Indian government after then-prime minister Trudeau accused India's government of having a role in the killing of a Canadian Sikh man.

Hilbert's comment appears to have gone unnoticed until the Regina Leader-Post newspaper released a story about it on Wednesday.

Hilbert issued a statement on Wednesday.

"I recently made an inaccurate and inappropriate statement about the federal NDP leader. I apologize for and withdraw that statement," she said.

Speaking to media in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, Singh said he didn't personally care about the comment but questioned why Hilbert would even say something like that. 

"This is an MLA, someone who's an elected official, respected member of their community, a former teacher," Singh said.

"What's happened in this MLA's life for them to say that about me?"

Singh said he's worried about the message the comment sends to children.

The Saskatchewan NDP were quick to condemn the comment Wednesday.

NDP MLA for Saskatoon University-Sutherland Tajinder Grewal said the comments were deeply hurtful and hateful to the Sikh community.

"Calling someone a terrorist is a huge statement. This is, to me, hate speech. It is simply not acceptable," Grewal said.

Grewal referenced Saskatchewan's motto of "From Many Peoples, Strength" before adding that racism has no place in Saskatchewan and no place in the provincial government.