Statement on anniversary of 2017 Quebec City mosque attack

Please read the following statement from Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands and Leader of the Green Party of Canada, recognising the anniversary of the 2017 attack at the Centre culturel islamique de Quebec:

“The 2017 attack at the Centre culturel islamique de Quebec was a horrific act of islamophobic violence and hate. The gunman targeted a place of worship, taking the lives of six worshippers and injured five others after evening prayers. The rise in islamophobia in our country is a direct threat to the lives of Canadian Muslims and it must be condemned.

I will never forget standing on the stage in Quebec City with all party leaders for the vigil that frozen night with hundred of Quebecers, a line of small boys with hockey sticks all gathered in mourning. We do not forget that trauma, nor can we afford to ignore the rise in hate- against Muslims, against Jews, against the “other.” We stand with the victims, their loved ones, and all in the Islamic community in Quebec City.”