Premier appoints Benoit Charette, environment minister, to lead fight against racism

In addition toleading the province's fight against climate change, QuebecEnvironment MinisterBenoit Charette is now being asked tolead the charge against racism.

Premier FranoisLegault's announcement Wednesday ofthe appointment ofCharette, who is white, immediately drew scrutiny.

But Charettewas firm in his belief that being white should not disqualify him from the position, which wascreated following a recommendation from the anti-racism committee formed by thegovernment last spring.

"It's a mandate to fight racism, so someone's skin colour should not be the reason to excludethat person," Charette said, addingthat he has deep ties with different communities.

He also said he's sensitive to their struggles, given that his wife is of Haitian origin.

Charette noted thathe haslived in several countries, and his experiences abroad have convinced him that Quebec has the tools needed to fight racism, including its Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

"We can't deny that people from minority groups, and Indigenous people, are too often exposed to profiling, to disparities in how they are treated, notably in matters of housing, in matters of employment," said Charette.

But he denied that racism in Quebec is systemic, evensaying the use of the term can be detrimental.

"What bothers me with the expression, there are many elements to this, it gives a false sense of security, [allowing some] to lay blame on others," he said. "If we base ourselves solely on a concept that is very vague, and not welldefined, it takes away a bit of the responsibility that we have."

Those remarks echoed past responses by the premier, whoserepeateddenialsof systemic racismin Quebec havefrustratedmany in the province's Black and Indigenous communities.

'I think many communities, people of colour, have been very distrustful towards this government because of its systematic denial of systemic racism.'- Fo Niemi, Centre for Research Action on Race Relations

Charette saidhe wants to work at implementing the 25 recommendations put forth by the committee, and promised significant progressbetween now and the end of the CAQ government's mandate.

Some of the committee's otherrecommendations include creating aprovince-wide campaign to raise awareness about racism, as well as training for police and government employees.

The new provincial role mirrorswhat was done in the City of Montreal, which appointed its first anti-racism commissioner last month.

'He's the best person to fight against racism,' premier says

Legault was also asked several times why the task of fighting racism in Quebec was given to Charetteinstead of the Black members of his cabinet, Nadine Girault and Lionel Carmant.

Giraultserves both as the province's minister of immigration and the minister of international relations. Carmant is the province's junior health minister, and oversees its youth protection agency. The two alsoco-chaired last spring'santi-racism committee.

"It's not likethey have nothing to do," the premier said, before praising the man who ultimately got the position.

"I've known him for many years, and I know it's a very importantsubject for him, so I think, again, he's the best person to fight against racism."

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Local civil rights organizationsgreeted the appointment with trepidation.Fo Niemi, director of the Centre for Research Action on Race Relations, said in an interviewhe was pleasedto see the Legault government implement a recommendation from its committee.

But hebelievesCharette is facing a significant hurdle of his own party's making.

"I think many communities, people of colour, have been very distrustful towards this government because of its systematic denial of systemic racism," he said.

That sentiment wasechoed by Marisa Berry Mndez, a coordinator with Amnesty International.

"To not acknowledge systemic racism not only will stand in his way in terms of taking action ...but also in terms of being seen as credible or legitimate by the communities that are impacted,"Mndez said.