Statement from Premier Wynne

The Premier released the following statement after reports that a student at Pauline Johnson Public School was the victim of a racist assault this morning:

“I am deeply troubled to hear reports this morning that a young woman at Pauline Johnson Public School was repeatedly and violently attacked for wearing her hijab to school today. This is a cowardly act of hatred, and it has no place in Ontario. The alleged actions of the one man suspected of perpetrating this heinous act in no way represent who we are. It is by collectively condemning acts of violence and hatred such as this that we show who we really are in Ontario.

We must stand firm in our support for this young girl and her community, and in speaking out against racism and intolerance in every form. Everyone in our province has the right to worship and dress however they choose. And everyone has the right to feel safe and respected no matter what they are wearing or where they go.

If the reports we are hearing are accurate, this can only be seen as an attempt to make certain people feel unwelcome or unsafe in our province. We will not stand for it. Everyone belongs in Ontario and everyone should be able to safely express themselves and their beliefs.”