Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard issued a plea for unity following a pair of shocking attacks committed by Quebecers.
Couillard, reading from a written statement Thursday morning at the National Assembly, said that he immediately reached out to Quebec Muslim leaders following the attack in Ottawa Wednesday.
“The leaders rapidly condemned this perversion of their religion,” he said in French. “They were firm and fast in their condemnation.”
Couillard said that the Immigration and Public Security ministries have been assigned the task of working with municipal and federal authorities to help prevent such further attacks.
He promised that more details of that effort will be revealed in coming weeks.
Couillard also expressed concern that some might blame immigrants for the attacks, although neither attack was committed by an immigrant.
“Let’s be clear, these are people from our province. Our society is distinct but is neither better nor worse than others. We have our problems and government must play its role and offer its full support to the security forces in protecting the rule of law but we must also support the social cohesion and public life which we have built together over the years.”
Couillard urged Quebecers, “not to give the criminals the victory they seek. Our values are what they want to destroy, so let’s remain vigilant and united.”
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who was shot dead following a gun attack in Ottawa Wednesday, was raised in Montreal and Laval. Martin Couture-Rouleau, who was shot dead after killing a soldier with his vehicle Monday, was from south of Montreal. Both had embraced a radical form of Islam in recent years.
