Local MP Writes Open Letter On Quebec Shootings

Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre has penned a letter showing his support for those of Muslin faith and all citizens in Sudbury.

Here is the full letter:

Friends:

Given the unspeakable events at a Quebec City mosque on Sunday night and the decisions of the U.S government last week weekend, I am compelled to write a message to my friends of Muslim faith and all citizens of my riding of Sudbury.

Last Friday, I held a roundtable with community stakeholders to discuss local services for newcomers to Canada, immigrants and refugees. More than 20 community groups attended to identify the gaps in the services we provided to newcomers. It is very important to me that we close these gaps and make newcomers feel welcomed in Canada and Sudbury.

On Saturday evening, I celebrated the Chinese New Year with friends from Chinese Heritage Association of Northern Ontario. In my remarks I mentioned the importance of celebrating all cultures and opening up all of our cultural events to everyone.

It’s clear that those who feel intimidated by other religions and cultures in our community are generally ignorant of those cultures. We are comfortable in the circle we create for ourselves, and it’s only when we get to know individuals from different backgounds than ours do we begin to realize we share many of the same values.

As my good friend Imam Dabliz of the Sudbury mosque always says, we are all humans first and share in our values of respect, tolerance and peace for all of humanity.

We are not immune to these attacks of intolerence. Words matter. Actions matter.

In light of the barbaric attack on innocent people in a mosque in Quebec City, and the U.S. government travel ban on people of Muslim faith, I want to reassure my Muslim friends and all those who care about our humanity, that I stand in solidarity with you, and that ultimately we are all Canadians who value peace and respect for all.

• Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury