NDP statement on the eighth anniversary of the Quebec City Mosque massacre

Canada’s NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh made the following statement:

“Eight years ago, a gunman entered the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City and murdered six men, and injured many more. This horrific night changed our country and devastated lives, communities, and families.

This act of vile hate robbed six men of their futures — futures filled with dreams, aspirations and untold contributions to country and community. It also robbed people of their fathers, their partners and beloved family members. For the last eight years, they’ve been reeling from this painful loss. We say to these families, we stand with you. We never stopped thinking of you. We recommit to doing everything in our power to stomp out the Islamophobic hate that wreaked this devastation on your lives.

Over the last year, Canada has seen a rise in Islamophobia including hate-motivated incidents and hate crimes against Muslims. Sitting idly by in the face of this rising hate isn’t an option. We each have a responsibility to act and to make it unequivocal, and governments have a specific responsibility to tackle Islamophobia. There should be no tolerance for violence or hate.

New Democrats again send our condolences to the families and to Muslim communities in Québec City and across the country. In sorrow, may you find comfort in each other, and the solidarity being expressed by Canadians.”