Item - 2021.MM34.43

City Council on June 8 and 9, 2021, adopted the following:

1.  City Council express its condolences to the family and friends of the London, Ontario family killed on Sunday night in what police have confirmed was a targeted and intentional Islamophobic attack.

2.  City Council condemn in the strongest terms possible this act of Islamophobia and all such acts, and restate its commitment to an inclusive and welcoming City for all Toronto residents.

3. City Council condemn white supremacy in the strongest possible way and commit itself to work with all levels of government to end all hate-motivated speech and crimes, including Islamophobia.

4. City Council condemn politicians and governments of all political backgrounds who promote hate, including but not limited to xenophobia and Islamophobia for political gain.

5. City Council denounce the Quebec Charter of Values as it is inherently biased toward people of faith and in particular Muslim women for its ban on the hijab and other head coverings

6. City Council call upon the Government of Canada to immediately introduce and strengthen laws to address online hate speech including white supremacy and the distribution of hateful materials targeting minority groups, including Muslims.

7. City Council call on the Provincial Government to reinstate the anti-racism directorate funding.

8.  City Council urge our Provincial Crown Attorneys to aggressively pursue justice in acts of hate against our Muslim Community to send a message that Islamophobia and other forms of hate are not acceptable and will result in legal consequences.

9. City Council support the call from the National Council of Canadian Muslims for a commitment to implement a National Action Summit on Islamophobia with the participation of the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments.

10. City Council commit to relaunching the Toronto For All anti-Islamophobia public education campaign.
 
11. City Council direct the City Manager, in partnership with relevant City divisions, to support diverse Muslim organizations to work with community members on how to report hate crimes, as outlined in Action 17.3 of the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism.

12. City Council direct the City Manager, in partnership with relevant City divisions, to investigate creating a community table to develop an anti-hate strategy with anti-Islamophobia as a pillar of that strategy and to ensure that it is done in partnership with the Muslim Youth Fellowship program, as outlined in Action 17.3 of the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism and reviews City policies, practices, services, gaps and the ability to implement change based on those recommendations.

13. City Council request the City Manager to report to the Executive Committee before the 2022 Budget Launch on permanent funding sources for the Muslim Youth Fellowship program and to decrease the reliance upon community fundraising for these positions.