PM Trudeau: Sainte-Foy, Québec
Montreal Gazette: 6 dead, 8 injured in terrorist attack at Quebec City mosque Globe and Mail: ‘Quebec City is in mourning’: Six dead, eight wounded in mass shooting at mosque Ottawa, Ontario – January 29, 2017 The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement today after hearing of the fatal shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec located in the Ste-Foy neighbourhood…
Montreal Gazette:
6 dead, 8 injured in terrorist attack at Quebec City mosque
Globe and Mail:
‘Quebec City is in mourning’: Six dead, eight wounded in mass shooting at mosque
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement today after hearing of the fatal shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec located in the Ste-Foy neighbourhood of the city of Québec:
“It was with tremendous shock, sadness and anger that I heard of this evening’s tragic and fatal shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec located in the Ste-Foy neighbourhood of the city of Québec.
“We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of all those who have died, and we wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured.
“While authorities are still investigating and details continue to be confirmed, it is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence. Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear.
“Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country. Canadian law enforcement agencies will protect the rights of all Canadians, and will make every effort to apprehend the perpetrators of this act and all acts of intolerance.
“Tonight, we grieve with the people of Ste-Foy and all Canadians.”
This cowardly attack on Canadian soil has generated outrage across the Canadian political spectrum, with even CPC leadership candidates Kellie Leitch and Jason Kenney speaking out against it.
Tonight there are candlight vigils across Canada. These are the few I know of:
Québec
Vigile de solidarité avec les musulman-es de Québec #SalamQc
Gare Jean-Talon by the exit: métro Parc.
https://www.facebook.com/events/226743947787244/
Ontario
Prayer and Solidarity Vigil organised by @KitchenerMasjid
Kitchener City Hall in Waterloo Region
https://www.facebook.com/events/227134104414096/
Yukon
Vigil for our Muslim Brothers & Sisters – Whitehorse
The Wharf ~ Front St. and Main St. Yukon River, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
https://www.facebook.com/events/394668850883510/
The Trump Administration has gotten off to a bad start, and almost every step taken seems wrong.
One of the great powers of an American President is the ability to issue Executive Orders.
HEALTHCARE
TRADE
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
REFUGEES+
I don’t think Mr. Trump realizes how much his election win benefited from tactical voting. He’s barely begun and American citizens are pushing back, hard. The chaos and protests at airports worldwide over the weekend was pretty heavy, prompting Judge Blocks Trump Order on Refugees Amid Chaos and Outcry Worldwide
And Canadians are pushing back, too. B.C. religious leaders call on Canada to act against U.S. immigration ban. Even Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted:
But anywhere you have two or more people, you are likely to get two or more opinions. (Which is why Proportional Representation is a necessary part of good democracy.)
Clearly there are people here ~ and there ~ who agree with President Trump’s world view. And just as clearly there are political agendas feeding fear, Isalamaphobia, whatever. The controversial anti-niquab attack ad targeting the NDP the Bloc Québécois’ put up during the 2015 election was only taken down today.
As horrible as this tragedy was, I am heartened by the across the board outrage. But we can’t afford complacency; we need to encourage our Liberal majority government to get on with the necessary work that will make it possible for Canadians to welcome those seeking refuge from persecution, terror and war. Sign the Leadnow Petition: Tell Trudeau: Welcome Those Fleeing Violence and Deportation Under Trump
I am struck again and again by the strife engendered by winner-take-all political systems. When there can be only one winner, everyone needs to win, but most don’t. And we have seen, over and over again, that the easiest way to become the only winner is to play on fear and build up hatred. But that is a dangerous game. It isn’t as easy to turn hatred off.
No where is the us against them polarization more obvious than what we’re seeing south of the border. And frankly, I don’t think any of us want that. When Canada finally adopts some form of Proportional Representation, we won’t be an all or nothing world anymore. Instead of polarization, we’ll be able to work together, to be able to embrace our diversity and tap into our strengths. And then we’ll be able to roll up our sleeves and tackle 21st century problems.
But for now, we’re struggling with the messes of the last century polarization.
In Sainte-Foy, Québec, the victims have all been identified, and the alleged assailants, too. One man has been charged with 6 counts of 1st-degree murder. You can follow the link and find out his name if you like, but I’m not about to repeat his name here. Because here’s the thing… if I ran the zoo, the names of mass murderers would never be said. Instead they’d be assigned a number and locked away securely for the rest of their days. Writing the name would just help make him famous.
Instead, I will name the victims here. I’ll share the names of six innocent men killed by the cancer of hate. Men who didn’t deserve to die; who deserve to be remembered.
Image Credits
Womens March On Washington (with Capitol Dome) ~ Public Domain photo by anonymous National Guard Member
Protestors March in the Woman’s March on Washington DC, January 21,2017 ~ Public Domain photo by anonymous National Guard Member
Horse and Buggy
The West Montrose covered bridge offered privacy to courting couples: kind of a “lover’s lane” ~ hence the nickname
This structure, the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario, was designed by John Bear in 1880, on the authority of Woolwich Township Council, to replace an earlier bridge over the Grand River. Built a year later by John and his brother, Benjamin, the 198-foot bridge was covered to protect the wooden flooring and frame against the elements. Known locally as the “Kissing Bridge” it later came under the jurisdiction of Waterloo County. In 1937 the province assumed responsibility for the Guelph-Elmira Road, including the West Montrose Bridge, and its floor and sub-structure were subsequently rebuilt and reinforced.”
The Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sties Board recognized the West Montrose Covered Bridge as a historic site in 1960. In 1975, the bridge was designated as a heritage site.
Surely the most famous bridge in Waterloo Region is the “Kissing Bridge” in West Montrose.
It’s claim to fame is that it’s the last covered bridge in Ontario. It made a lot of sense to cover a bridge this long in the days of horse and buggy travel. Like the Conestogo Bridge, this was only ever wide enough to accommodate a single car at a time.
The highway bridge built as a car alternative bridge is quite a bit out of the way for the large Old Order Mennonite population who still get around by horse and buggy in Waterloo Region (particularly Woolwich Township). I’m guessing that’s what saved this bridge long enough to become a landmark. This photo is from spring 2015.
Some of the comments from Quebec Premier, Philippe Couillard and Quebec City, Mayor Régis Labeaume, from the press conference that was just held.
Context:
Religious leaders of various faiths are urging the federal government to let those stuck in U.S. airports into Canada, following President Donald Trump’s immigration ban.
Members of the group, Concerned Clergy for Refugees, held a news conference at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver on Sunday, calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to act.
“These are refugees that are fleeing war-torn countries, these are immigrants holding valid U.S. visas for travel, these are our brothers and sisters,” Rabbi Dan Moskovitz of Temple Sholom in Vancouver told reporters.
Trump issued an executive order Friday that bans entry into the U.S. by citizens and dual-citizens from the Muslim-majourity countries of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for the next 90 days.
In a letter signed by 75 faith leaders, the group is asking Canada to extent temporary resident visas or permits to those who hold American visas, have passed American security clearance, and who are stranded at American ports of entry.
brighten up the winter blahs
There are so many photos of Laura and her family and friends on or around a single car bridge that I always assumed would be long gone.
But it seems Mom’s bridge is still there where Glasgow Street crosses the Conestogo River in her home town, Conestogo, Ontario .
Doing a little online research I discover the bridge:“…is among the oldest metal truss bridges remaining in Canada. Constructed in 1886 by the Hamilton Bridge Company, which at the time was known as the Hamilton Bridge and Tool Company…”
We were driving in North Waterloo when my husband pointed out a little side road he told me led to a bridge that would scare the daylights out of me (an acrophobe) in Conestoga. I was immediately all ears: he had to be talking about the bridge where so many of my Mom’s young photos were taken. I’d just assumed a single car bridge would be long gone by now, but it’s not.
