Statement of condolence and support for the Muslim community

The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) extends its deepest condolences to the families, extended families, friends, and neighbours of the victims of a premeditated mass murder of a Muslim family in London, Ontario. Islamophobia, hatred and violence have no place in our country. No one should be alienated and live in fear because of the colour of their skin, their manner of dress or their religion.

CPHA joins with and fully supports the calls from the Muslim community to address hatred and intolerance on the educational front, on the political front, and on the social front.

CPHA recognizes that by working to achieve social justice, we can positively affect inequities in several domains, including health. CPHA recognizes that Canada is a nation where racism and colonialism are social and structural determinants of health that result in inequities with regard to social inclusion, economic outcomes, personal health, and access to and quality of health and social services. CPHA commits to embedding anti-oppression and anti-racism interventions in organizational activities, and will advocate for the removal of systemic and structural barriers in society to create conditions for equity and ensure that everyone lives with dignity and equal opportunity.

The need to take action on issues of stigma, racism and white supremacy has never been greater. As public health professionals committed to social justice, we each have a responsibility to examine our own beliefs and actions, and actively counter racism at the personal, organizational and community levels.