News Release

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2004

TORONTO — The McGuinty government strongly condemns and deplores the virulent acts of anti-Semitism committed recently.

"Cowardly acts such as these are despicable to Ontario. It is everyone's duty to speak out and take action when racism and hate crimes raise their ugly heads," said Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario.

"The hatred and vandalism in North York and Vaughan are an affront to the entire community," said Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services and MPP for York Centre, where last night's hate crime at the Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park cemetery occurred. "When it comes to anti-Semitic incidents in this country our mantra and our policy must be 'one is too many'," said Kwinter.

"The McGuinty government will do everything it can to defeat this campaign of hate. We're asking all members of the community to assist in the investigation," said Attorney General Michael Bryant who visited the Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park cemetery today with Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino.

This type of hate has no place in our city, in our province or in our country. "I am confident that the police will vigorously investigate these hateful crimes and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice," said Kwinter. "These crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," added Bryant.

To the Jewish community, know that your government supports you and stands with you and does not tolerate hate crimes, racial intolerance, or discrimination of any sort.

- 30 -

Disponible en français