For several weeks, the situation in the Middle East has challenged me as a citizen and as a human. I only believe in peace and justice. I carry in my experience and my conscience the need to act against inequities and violence.
As some have noticed on my social networks, I recently took part in demonstrations in Montreal in support of a request for a ceasefire. I consider this individual posture to be a duty of humanity. A personal posture, therefore, that of a woman committed to peace, saddened by the horror of this situation.
The rise in incidents and hate crimes since the beginning of October in Montreal deeply concerns me as Commissioner for the fight against racism and systemic discrimination. Please know that I work every day to ensure that municipal practices are fair. I repeat, and I have always carried it in my role as Commissioner, all experiences of racism and hatred must be countered vehemently.
The Islamophobic and anti-Semitic acts and behaviors that have been committed in recent weeks in Montreal are all unacceptable and the violence must be strongly condemned. Targeting Jewish schools and children with bullets is a crime that must be punished and which has no place in a metropolis like Montreal. Targeting Muslim places of worship is just as important.
To these despicable acts, my duty is to organize awareness and prevention of hate incidents and crimes. It is also to support my colleagues from the Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) who are investigating with neutrality. I am confident that the work of elected officials and the SPVM can reassure citizens so that everyone feels safe. I am personally and professionally in solidarity with all the people who are currently feeling a situation of physical and psychological insecurity.
In addition to working with the SPVM, I remind you, once again, that my role at the City of Montreal, as a civil servant, concerns internal change and that I do not have a public representation role. I was appointed to work with the entire municipal apparatus to accelerate the transformation for an administration free of racism and systemic discrimination. This mission inhabits me, and I devote all my efforts and energies to it to put in place actions that will ensure that the City is representative of its population, that each person can fully flourish and be safe in Montreal. .
I am always ready to meet all organizations and hear all voices. I am also committed to meeting representatives of the Arab-Muslim and Jewish communities. Like many elected officials, I appeal for calm and reason. It is necessary not to give in to division, to aim for respect for all Montrealers, whatever their faiths. Isn’t this what defined the history of our metropolis?