Ottawa, June 26, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to condemn the deplorable act of vandalism against the Hindu Mandir temple in Surrey, British Columbia, this past weekend:
“The act of vandalism that took place against the Vedic Hindu Temple on June 23rd, when vandals smashed three windows near the temple’s entrance overnight, is contrary to Canadian values and repugnant to our tradition of religious tolerance, which dates back centuries and is one of our greatest strengths.
“It is particularly disgusting that this happened on the anniversary of the Air India bombing, where 329 people, mostly Canadians, were killed in the bombing of Air India Flight 182 on June 23, 1985.
“As the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I encourage each and every Canadian to categorically reject such cowardly acts of bigotry, and I ask that anyone with information please contact the appropriate authorities so the perpetrators can be brought to justice as swiftly as possible.”
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alexis Pavlich
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
