Like Canadians across the country, we were horrified and saddened to hear of the racially motivated attack that occurred in London, Ontario earlier this week when a 20-year-old man drove into a Muslim family, the Afzaal family, killing a grandmother, mother, father and daughter, and leaving nine-year-old son, Fayez, in hospital with serious injuries.

This attack was not an isolated incident but an example of the systemic racism and Islamophobia that continues to exist within Canadian society. Just two weeks ago, a Muslim man in Calgary was met with Islamophobic and racial slurs and threats of violence for hanging a Palestinian flag on his car.

As mentioned, this alarming trend is not new. According to recent reports by the National Council of Canadian Muslims, they have tracked more than 300 incidents of anti-Muslim racism and Islamophobia between 2015 and 2019 including 30 acts of extreme physical violence.

“As a union that represents transit workers from diverse backgrounds, I strongly and unequivocally condemn this hateful racially motivated act that has left a young child without a family.” Said National President John Di Nino. “No one should have to face such violence and hatred. An injury to one is an injury to us all.”

ATU Canada recognizes its important role in advocating for ending systems of oppression and is committed to continue fighting discrimination and hate everyday inside and outside of the workplace.