Ottawa – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement condemning the anti-Semitic vandalism at several summer cottages in the Laurentian municipality of Val Morin, Quebec over the past few days.

I join with other Canadians in deploring the cowardly and odious acts of vandalism that targeted Jewish-owned summer homes in Val Morin. Reports say vandals broke into about 15 homes, destroying property and spray-painting messages of hate and images of swastikas.

Sadly, it is not the first time that hateful individuals have vandalized the property of Val Morin’s Jewish community. This only makes this latest incident all the more disgraceful.

These contemptible acts have no place in Canadian society. The Government of Canada is deeply disturbed by all anti-Semitic activity, which threatens the safety and well-being of this country’s citizens.

When such an incident occurs, it only strengthens the Government’s resolve to lead the fight against anti-Semitism, an enduring and pernicious form of hatred.

As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I call on all Canadians to reject all forms of racism, intolerance and bigotry, which are contrary to Canada’s fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

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