How can Brenda Hogg represent her constituents when she clearly has no understanding their cultures, religions, and customs? Shouldn’t that be a job requirement?

Ms Hogg, Richmond Hill’s deputy mayor is claiming that she suffered gender discrimination on 2 occasions last year. One episode occurred when two rabbis refused to shake her hand at a Menorah lighting ceremony. On the other occasion Muslim men would not look her in the eye at an Eid celebration.

One would imagine that a person in Ms Hogg’s position would have taken the time to educate herself (or had her staff do the research) on what to expect at these types of occasions and to act appropriately. It is quite simple to find out that many people of the Orthodox Jewish faith obey the modesty laws. This means that out of respect they do not touch anyone of the opposite gender except for spouses and immediate relatives – parents, grandparents, bother, and sisters. Therefore the Rabbis could not shake Ms Hogg’s hand and observe the modesty laws. Just as at the Eid celebrations that there were Muslim men in attendance who would not make eye contact with Ms Hogg. It is their way. We don’t have to understand it, just accept it.

If Ms Hogg has no interest in learning about other cultures, then perhaps she is in the wrong job. We live in a multicultural society where everyone has the freedom to worship and to celebrate in their own ways. If Ms Hogg finds these occasions uncomfortable, then she should stay home in her own little comfort zone and never venture out into the real world.