"I was shocked to learn of the brutal and senseless murder of David Rosenzweig, a father of six who devoted his life to his family and who was an active member of the Orthodox Jewish community of Toronto.

As Prime Minister of Canada, I want to reaffirm that such acts of hatred directed against Canadians for reasons of race, faith, or for belonging to any identifiable group, are totally unacceptable. We will not allow anti-Semitism or religious and ethnic intolerance in Canada. These acts cannot be rationalized or justified in any way. That is why we have strong anti-hate laws and punish those who perpetrate such violence and intimidation.

Such displays of intolerance and hate offend the values we believe in as Canadians. As a nation, we cherish our Charter of Rights and Freedoms and our values are so profoundly inspired by it that Canada is regarded throughout the world as a model of ethnic and religious tolerance. We will continue to speak out and act against such heinous crimes whenever and wherever they occur.

Aline joins me in offering, on behalf of all Canadians, our sincerest condolences to the family of David Rosenzweig and to the Orthodox Jewish Community of Toronto."

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555