Quebec MNA Marwah Rizqy requests police protection, saying her family is on 'high alert'

A Quebec politician has requested police protection, saying she fears for her safety and that of her family.

Speaking during a Tuesday news conference, Saint-Laurent Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy said she, her husband, two children and mother are at home "in a state of high alert."

Rizqy has faced insults after strongly criticizing the allegedly toxic atmosphere created by 11 teachers at Bedford elementary school in Montreal, whose teaching licenses were eventually suspended earlier this month. That alleged behaviour dates as far back as 2016.

Rizqy has been adamant that Isabelle Gélinas, Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM)'s executive director, failed the students. 

She scoffed at the idea that Gélinas only found out who the teachers were last week. She accused Gélinas of "willful blindness," given a 2021 report had already pointed to troubling allegations at the school, and has called for her to step down.

On Monday, Quebecor media aired a speech by Adil Charkaoui, a controversial activist and imam, accusing Rizqy of exaggerating the situation at the school and calling her a "token Moroccan."  

Despite the remarks, Rizqy vowed on Tuesday to continue her work and speak out.

"Freedom of speech and the ability to legislate are rights I have to uphold, alongside all my parliamentary colleagues," she said. "No, I'm not discouraged. I'm rolling up my sleeves and I'll keep going."

She thanked members of other political parties, many of whom have expressed support.  

Politicians back Rizqy

Education Minister Bernard Drainville, Québec Solidaire Leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois and Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon were among those who condemned the attacks on Rizqy.  

"The remarks made yesterday by a religious preacher were degrading and threatening toward a member of the National Assembly," St-Pierre Plamondon said at a press conference.  

He said he called on the National Assembly's secretary general to give Rizqy all the "security and resources she deserves, whether she's a minister or not, whether she's a party leader or not.'"  

Nadeau-Dubois said any MNA fearing for their safety should receive proper protection.  

"No MNA should ever fear doing their legislative work or speaking out, and none should be exposed to comments that could fuel threats to their safety," he said.  

Drainville added, "A parliamentarian should be able to do their job without being subjected to intimidation or remarks that resemble incitement to hatred."

Rizqy faced threats in the past

This isn't the first time Rizqy has been targeted. She received death threats during the 2022 election campaign. At the time, she said she had to think twice about whether to continue campaigning.

"I was really scared ... I was in my bathroom and my knees started shaking," she said in 2022.

Earlier this month, Rizqy announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, opting to step away from politics to spend more time with her young family.

She said in a post on X that she wants to be closer to her two young sons whom she shares with fellow Quebec Liberal MNA Greg Kelley.

She has said her work at the National Assembly takes her away from home four days a week, which she said is "too great a sacrifice."

"I wanted these children so much. I want to raise them myself," she told reporters. "My decision is made and it is final."