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The Liberals and Conservatives are at odds over a private members motion that condemns Islamophobia, with the Tories pushing their own version that Heritage Minister Mlanie Joly calls weakened and watered down.

During a speech in the House of Commons on Thursday, Ms. Joly took direct aim at Conservative leadership candidates who oppose Liberal MP Iqra Khalids motion M-103, which calls on the government to condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination and study the issue at the heritage committee.

Conservative MP David Anderson on Thursday proposed his own version of the motion, which condemns all forms of systemic racism and discrimination against Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and other religious communities, but does not specifically mention Islamophobia. The Conservative motion will be voted upon in the coming days, while the Liberal motion will be dealt with in April.

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Mr. Anderson has voiced his concern that Islamophobia is not defined in Ms. Khalids motion, and urged Liberals to support the Conservative version instead.

What stands out here is the inclusiveness of this motion, he told the Commons.

Every faith group has a story of being at odds with the culture around them. These stories often involve periods of persecution and discrimination.

Most Tory leadership hopefuls, including Kellie Leitch, Maxime Bernier, Andrew Scheer, Brad Trost, Chris Alexander, Kevin OLeary and Erin OToole, say they disagree with Ms. Khalids motion. Michael Chong is the only candidate who said he will support it.

Ms. Leitch, who started a website called Stop M-103, told the Globe on Wednesday that many Canadians are worried their freedom of speech will be stifled.

All religions, no matter how benign, have to accept that there will be people critical of their beliefs and tenants, she said.

I want every individual to know that under my leadership theyll be free to speak openly about issues that are important to them.

Ms. Joly told the Commons it boggles the mind that members who have put their names forward to lead political parties, would try to capitalize on fear and division for their own benefit.

Some have actually had the gall to use this as an opportunity to blast out emails and mailers to raise money for their campaigns, to use fear of Islamophobia to enrich their own success, she said.

Ms. Joly also criticized Ms. Leitch, Mr. Trost, Mr. Alexander and Pierre Lemieux for speaking at a Toronto rally on Wednesday night organized by right-wing website the Rebel.

Anyone tells Canadians that this motion is the first step toward restricting our right to criticize Islam or thought police in Ottawa dictating what we can and cannot say is misleading and undermining a real issue that is deserving of our attention, Ms. Joly said.

Former Liberal justice minister Irwin Cotler, who put forward an anti-Semitism motion in 2015 using an agreed-upon definition, said the Liberals could change the term Islamophobia to anti-Muslim bigotry in order to get all sides on board.

Has anybody spoken with them about the use of the terminology of anti-Muslim bigotry, which amounts to the same thing but is more specific and does not have what for some is seen to be a confusing term? he told reporters.

Ms. Khalid said Wednesday Islamophobia is the irrational hate of Muslims that leads to discrimination.

Even before the full day of debate began, Ms. Joly said the government would not support the Conservative motion.

The Conservative party is presenting a weakened and watered down motion, she told reporters.

The Conservatives have brought this motion forward in a cynical attempt to serve their political purposes and avoid addressing the real issue concerning Islamophobia.

The NDP have signaled they would support both motions, but NDP MP Jenny Kwan told Ms. Joly in the Commons that the party also wants Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to denounce U.S. President Donald Trumps immigration ban.

One might argue that President Donald Trump is perhaps one of the biggest promoters of Islamophobia right now with the immigration ban that he tried to bring forward, Ms. Kwan said. Does she agree that the Prime Minister also needs to stand up and denounce hate and discrimination against Trumps discriminatory and racist ban?

Last October, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair presented a motion sponsored by Liberal MP Frank Baylisthat called on the House to join the almost 70,000 people who signed an e-petition in condemning all forms of Islamophobia. After initially being blocked by Conservatives, it passed unanimously.

Follow Laura Stone on Twitter: @l_stone

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Conservative motion condemning racism too 'watered down' to support, Liberals say - The Globe and Mail