OTTAWA– Canadian Member of Parliament Jamil Jivani has submitted a formal notice of motion to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, urging immediate action to protect the freedom to worship without fear of violence or criminal intimidation.
The motion, submitted Monday, highlights a troubling rise in attacks targeting places of worship across Canada since 2021. Citing incidents involving Hindu temples, churches, synagogues, and mosques, Jivani called for stronger legal protections and increased security measures to ensure that religious communities can worship safely.
“This is about defending one of our most fundamental rights as Canadians—the freedom to worship without fear,” said Jivani. “No one should feel unsafe simply because of their faith.”
The motion urges the Standing Committee to acknowledge the growing threat religious institutions face. It outlines a disturbing pattern of violence: over 100 churches have been burned or vandalized, Hindu temples have been defaced and attacked by protestors, Jewish schools and synagogues have been targeted by firebombings and shootings, and mosques have been subjected to assaults and vandalism.
To address these issues, Jivani’s motion proposes that the Committee study these threats and consider new legislative measures, including the potential implementation of “bubble zone” laws around places of worship. It also suggests increasing criminal penalties for arson and other crimes targeting religious institutions.
As part of the process, the motion calls for at least two dedicated committee meetings on the issue, culminating in a report to be submitted to the House of Commons.
The motion comes in the wake of several recent high-profile incidents. In April, the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Surrey was defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti—the third such act of vandalism at the site. In November 2023, a protest by Khalistani extremists outside the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton escalated into violence, with reports of worshippers being attacked. Similar acts of vandalism have also occurred in Windsor, Mississauga, and Brampton, prompting widespread condemnation from both Canadian and Indian officials.
With growing concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Canada, Jivani’s motion seeks to push the federal government to act decisively.
“I hope this motion brings urgency and bipartisan focus to protecting religious freedom in Canada,” he said. (Source: IANS)
