Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Sunday, January 29th, six people were brutally murdered at the Sainte-Foy Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City, gunned down in a cowardly attack motivated by fear and hatred. This attack has shaken our country and I join the voices of millions of Canadians who categorically condemn this act of terror. Canada must be a place that is safe for anyone to practice their own religion.

Mamadou Tanou Barry, Abdelkrim Hassane, Khalid Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Azzeddine Soufiane and lbrahima Barry. These are the names of those who tragically lost their lives. I state their names now, Mr. Speaker, so that they are forever documented in the history of this Chamber and so that they are never forgotten. I would like to thank, you, Mr. Speaker, and the other honourable Members who have spoken up in solidarity at the Muslim community both here in the Northwest Territories and across Canada.

Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times before, I am proud to be part of a multicultural society that is home to many peoples, faiths and traditions. The Northwest Territories is an extraordinary example of this diversity.

Yesterday, I was honoured to speak at Yellowknife's Islamic Cultural Centre, and join in a crowd of some 300 people who came out to support our Muslim friends and neighbours. This show of support from the community was repeated across the country. It's clear that this attack was not isolated to Muslims or a mosque in Quebec; rather, it was an attack on us all, and our core values as Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, there are those in Canada and beyond who would rather embrace ignorance and intolerance instead of love and compassion, and it is shocking despite how far we have come as an inclusive and tolerant society that, for some, these negative attitudes remain stubbornly entrenched.

Mr. Speaker, Northerners stand with the victims and their families and with all Canadians. As long as we stand together, those who attack our values as Canadians will never succeed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.