A New Democrat MP called on the federal government to take action to root out racism and support victims of hate crimes like the London family whose home was recently set ablaze in an alleged hate-motivated attack.
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A New Democrat MP called on the federal government to take action to root out racism and support victims of hate crimes like the London family whose home was recently set ablaze in an alleged hate-motivated attack.
Lindsay Mathyssen, who represents London-Fanshawe, spoke during question period in the House of Commons on Wednesday about the weekend fire at a Wateroak Drive house, where pro-Palestinian signs were also stolen and damaged.
“Just three years after Our London Family were murdered in an Islamophobic attack, another London family’s home was set on fire,” Mathyssen said, referring to the terrorist attack that killed four members of the Afzaal family on June 6, 2021.
“The police are investigating this crime as hate motivated as the family publicly expressed support for Palestinian human rights. Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism and all forms of hate must be condemned wherever it occurs,” the two-term MP said.
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Police still haven’t made any arrests in the fire that was reported Saturday around 10:40 p.m., just one hour after a man stole signs supporting Palestinian rights and the Afzaal family from the house. Other incidents of vandalism at the home dating back to early May have also been reported to police.
Nobody was injured in the fire – neighbours said the family of five wasn’t home at the time – and damaged is estimated at $30,000.
Investigators are treating the arson as a possible hate-motivated crime and believe the same suspect who set the fire stole the signs.
Police have released a photograph of a suspect, who is described as a man between 30 and 50, with a medium to heavy build. He was wearing grey shoes, dark pants, a light-grey zip-up sweater with black accents under the arms, a dark-coloured toque and a medical mask.
The arson attack rattled residents on Wateroak Drive, a residential street northeast of Fanshawe Park and Hyde Park roads, and drew condemnation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and multiple Muslim organizations.
But Mathyssen said the Liberal government needs to do more to root out racism and make people feel safe.
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“Will the Liberals finally step up to provide support to my community and all those impacted by hate-motivated attacks?” she asked.
Liberal MP Iqra Khalid, the parliamentary secretary for the minister of national revenue, responded by saying the government is dedicated to combating Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and racism, citing the party’s anti-racism strategy that has boosted funding for community groups.
“We will continue to work with partners on all levels of government, including civil society, to ensure that we’re supporting communities like that member’s,” she said of Mathyssen.
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