Sask. Party MLA who called Jagmeet Singh a 'terrorist' stripped of additional MLA duties

Racquel Hilbert, the Saskatchewan Party MLA who called federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh a terrorist in the provincial legislature last month, has been removed from additional MLA duties, the party says.

Premier Scott Moe said in the legislature Thursday that comments made by the Humboldt-Watrous member were inaccurate and highly inappropriate.

In a news release Friday, the governing Saskatchewan Party said that Hilbert has been removed from additional responsibilities. That includes her roles with the Treasury Board and the Wanuskewin board of directors, and her role as deputy caucus chair.

Hilbert remains an MLA and a member of the Saskatchewan Party caucus.

During a March 25 debate on the provincial budget in the legislature, Hilbert condemned the Opposition Saskatchewan NDP and then turned her comments to Singh, and his decision to support the government of former prime minister 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 Trudeau accused India's government of having a role in the killing of a Canadian Sikh man.

In a statement released Wednesday, Hilbert said she "recently made an inaccurate and inappropriate statement about the federal NDP leader."

"I apologize for and withdraw that statement," her statement 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.

In a statement on Friday, Saskatchewan NDP MLA Tajinder Grewal said Hilbert should be kicked out of the government's caucus.

"The Sikh community is deeply hurt by this Sask. Party MLA's hateful remarks," he said. "Taking away her 'additional responsibilities' is nothing more than a slap on the wrist."

He said the premier should "show the leadership that this is not acceptable."

The World Sikh Organization had also called for her to be stripped of her duties and receive anti-racist training. 

The organization said in a Thursday statement it "believes that Ms. Hilbert should face consequences for her hateful remarks."

"At a minimum, we urge the Saskatchewan Party to remove her from any committee assignments and to mandate comprehensive anti-racism and cultural sensitivity training for all its members."