Manitoba launches anti-Islamophobia action plan for education system

Tracy Schmidt, Manitoba’s education and early childhood learning minister, speaks at a news conference in Winnipeg on Dec. 1, 2025. (Harrison Shin/CTV News Winnipeg)

The province launched an kindergarten to Grade 12 action plan to address Islamophobia.

On Friday, education and early childhood learning minister Tracy Schimidt announced the launch of the kindergarten to Grade 12 Anti-Islamophobia Action Plan to address Islamophobia in the education system.

“Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and included in Manitoba’s schools, regardless of their faith, background, or identity,” Schmidt said in a media release.

The action plan was developed by the anti-Islamophobia working group established in Oct. 2024. The group is made up of community leaders, educators and department of education staff, the release said.

Four areas are in focus for the plan, such as building strong relationships between schools and Muslim communities, including Muslim history in schools and curriculums and providing resources and professional education to educators.

“It promotes cultural awareness and collaborative engagement across classrooms,” said Sadaf Ahmed, government affairs and public policy officer of the National Council of Canadian Muslims. “The Manitoba government’s work in providing a concrete plan of action for kindergarten to Grade 12 education marks a significant step forward for students and families.”

The plan will be implemented by collaborating with school divisions and community partners, according to the release. The plan is available to public on the education department’s anti-Islamophobia action plan webpage.