Mr. Speaker, the events of last week have saddened all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those whose lives have been so tragically changed.
This act of terrorism sought to tear us apart. While we all have vowed not to let that happen, it is unfortunate that there are those in our own nation who have allowed it to happen through misguided attacks on their fellow Canadians.
Reports of death threats, vandalism and arson against various ethnic and faith communities in the days following last Tuesday's attacks serves only to acknowledge that terrorism works. Any person who uses fear and terror as a weapon is a terrorist. It is clear that terrorism exists in all societies, in all races, in all religions and in all nationalities.
Our fight against terrorism can start at home by dealing harshly and swiftly with those who would cowardly attack their fellow Canadians in the wake of last Tuesday's horrific events. There can be no place for racism in our vow against terrorism. If after September 11, 2001 we judge our fellow Canadians differently based on their race or ethnicity then we have let terrorism--