Ujjal Dosanjh calls for extremism oversight in religious institutions, private schools

Former BC NDP premier and federal Liberal cabinet minister Ujjal Dosanjh is calling on the federal government to implement better oversight of religious institutions and private schools to fight extremism.

"There has been evidence over the years that there might be hate being taught in certain institutions. If there is, I think the government needs to ensure that there is rigorous and more oversight," he told The Early Edition's Rick Cluff.

Dosanjh — who received the inaugural Wallenberg-Sugihara Civil Courage Award for his advocacy on anti-extremism last month — did not single out any schools, or faiths.

He said he doesn't think more oversight would interfere with religious freedoms or the right to free speech.

"What it gives you the right to say is 'this is the way to go to God,' but if you say the way to go to God is by killing infidels, well that's, in my mind, crossing the line."

Dosanjh — who spoke to the Senate National Security Committee earlier this week — didn't specify what form increased oversight would take, but said as long as private institutions receive public funding, the government should have some control over what is being taught.

"I think the government not only has an obligation that the hate is not being taught anywhere — including public schools or private schools — but in fact we have a right to ensure that the hate is not being taught."

To hear the full interview with Ujjal Dosanjh, click the audio labelled: Ujjal Dosanjh calls for federal oversight of religious institutions and private schools.