Islamic Supremacist Appointed to Lead Canada’s Public Health Agency
Canada’s Public Health Agency (PHAC) will soon have its fifth director-general in as many years—Nancy Hamzawi, a devout Muslim whose hijab signals adherence to Sharia, will assume the role at the end of June following the resignation of Heather Jeffrey.
The 4,000-employee agency is already under pressure from major internal and external challenges, and Hamzawi’s appointment has triggered a wave of public backlash.
Concerns Over Appearance and Ideological Bias
Critics note that Hamzawi’s visible adherence to Islamic dress has fueled distrust about her priorities and qualifications. Some social media users have also remarked on her weight, arguing it sets a poor example for the head of a national health agency.
PHAC reports directly to Health Canada, where diversity hires dominate top leadership. Health Minister Marjorie Michel is a Haitian immigrant, Secretary of State Maggie Chi is of Chinese descent, former Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam hails from Hong Kong, and her deputy, Howard Njoo, is of Chinese-Indonesian heritage.
Quota Hire Accusations
Pushback has come from both social media and more mainstream conservative voices. An op-ed in Juno News called Hamzawi’s appointment “a cruel joke,” claiming she could not have been chosen based on merit alone.
The Western Standard echoed suspicions that her hiring is a result of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) quotas rather than qualifications.
