Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre addressed concerns on Monday about the targeting of Christians and their places of worship, promising to combat religion-based hate by imposing stricter penalties for offenses like arson. Poilievre expressed dismay at the recent wave of church burnings, labeling them as “terrorist attacks” specifically aimed at Christians.
Highlighting the alarming trend, Poilievre stated that around 100 churches have been set on fire, emphasizing that Christians are likely the most targeted group for hate-related violence, despite the issue not being openly acknowledged. Recent data from Statistics Canada indicated that the majority of reported hate crimes against religions in 2023 were directed at Jews (70%) and Muslims (16%).
The statistics revealed a significant surge in hate crimes against religions in 2023, with a notable increase in incidents targeting Jewish (900 hate crimes) and Muslim (211 hate crimes) communities. While there was a rise in hate crimes against Catholics in 2021, following revelations from the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, the number of incidents has since decreased.
Recent incidents, such as the arson attack on a Ukrainian Orthodox Church near Edmonton, along with other churches being targeted across Canada, further underscore the issue. A report by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute highlighted a rise in arson attacks on religious institutions between 2021 and 2023, with institutions in the Prairies and B.C. being particularly impacted.
Poilievre emphasized the need to curb anti-Christian sentiments, advocating for tougher measures such as mandatory prison terms for offenders, enhanced laws against hate crimes, deportation of foreign criminals, and increased support for law enforcement agencies. He stressed that all Canadians, regardless of their faith, deserve the right to worship peacefully.
