Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia:
“Today, Canadians of all faiths and backgrounds pause to mourn the victims of a heinous terrorist attack.
“On what should have been a peaceful evening in the quiet suburb of Ste-Foy, six Canadian Muslims were murdered in the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec by a terrorist gunman. The attack injured many more and shocked Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
“It was a moment of horrific and agonizing loss, but also one that revealed the incredible courage of community members like Azzeddine Soufiane, who was posthumously awarded the Star of Courage for his brave attempt to tackle the shooter.
“Common Sense Conservatives believe that religious freedom is at the core of who we are as a nation. First and foremost, that includes the right to pray in peace and security. The crime we remember today was an attack not just on an innocent community, but on a sacred principle at the heart of the Canadian promise.
“As we reflect on this tragedy, Conservatives are committed to taking concrete steps to protect worshippers and places of worship. Together, we can create a country where our incredible Muslim community, along with Canadians of all faiths, can gather in safety and freedom.”