The nonbinding motion, M-103, was introduced in early December by Liberal MP Iqra Khalid. It calls on the government to "condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination." The motion also calls on the heritage committee in the House of Commons to study the problem and make recommendations on how to combat such discrimination.

The motion was tabled after almost 70,000 Canadians signed a petition highlighting a "notable rise in anti-Muslim sentiments in Canada," and calling for action.

According to the most recent Statistics Canada figures, anti-Muslim hate crimes more than doubled in the three-year period from 2012 to 2014.

The issue has taken on extra gravity after the Quebec City shooting, in which six Muslim men were killed while praying at their mosque.