NDP statement on the fourth anniversary of the shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement:

"Today is a painful day for the Canadian Muslim Community across Canada and Québec. Four years ago, today, a gunman opened fire in the Centre culturel islamique de Québec – killing six innocent men and wounding nineteen others.

This senseless act of violence left the families of the victims shattered – the Canadian Muslim community feeling vulnerable and scared.

Unfortunately, hate speech and violence driven by islamophobia and racism is still present in our communities. We must shut it down whenever and wherever we see it.

New Democrats have and will continue to push all parties to adopt a motion calling on the federal government to use all available tools to address the proliferation of white supremacist and hate groups.

It is our responsibility as parliamentarians to not resort to whistle dog rhetoric and refrain from peddling the politics of fear. We must continue to fight intolerance and hate and the conditions that create it, at home and around the world. We must always advocate for everyone’s right to be who they are without being subject to hate or violence.

Today, on behalf of all New Democrats, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families who lost loved ones that day. We stand in solidarity with the survivors and recommit ourselves to fighting Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms."