**Title: Poilievre Addresses Hate Crimes Against Christians**

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stated on Monday that Christians and their places of worship are increasingly being targeted. He pledged that if elected, he would implement stricter measures against hate crimes, particularly those involving arson.

During a press conference focused on food inflation, Poilievre expressed concern over what he called a "terrible" rise in church burnings, labeling these incidents as "terrorist attacks" aimed at Christians. "One hundred churches have been burned," he said. "Christians may be the number 1 group that are victims of hate-based violence. But, of course, it's not politically correct to say that."

Recent data from Statistics Canada indicates that in 2023, the majority of hate crimes targeting religious groups were directed at Jews, accounting for 70 percent, followed by Muslims at 16 percent. In total, there were 1,284 reported hate crimes against religious groups, marking a significant 67 percent increase from the previous year. This surge is largely attributed to a rise in reported incidents against Jewish and Muslim communities, with 900 and 211 hate crimes, respectively.

Statistics Canada also noted a rise in hate crimes against Catholics in 2021, particularly following revelations from the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation regarding potential burial sites of children at a former residential school. The number of police-reported crimes against Catholics rose from 43 in 2020 to 155 in 2021, although this figure has since declined.

Poilievre's comments come amid ongoing concerns about violence against Christians. Recently, a historic Ukrainian Orthodox Church northeast of Edmonton was set on fire, part of a troubling trend of arson attacks. Reports indicate that at least four other churches have been burned this year, including vacant churches in Winnipeg and Newfoundland, a Catholic church in rural Saskatchewan, and an Anglican-Lutheran church in Manitoba.

While it is difficult to determine the exact number of churches that have been vandalized or burned in recent years, a report from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute revealed 238 arson attacks on churches and other religious institutions from 2021 to 2023, an increase from 152 in the previous three years. The report highlighted that institutions in the Prairies and British Columbia were disproportionately affected by these incidents.

The Catholic Civil Rights League has documented numerous suspicious incidents involving church attacks in recent years. Poilievre emphasized the need for action, stating, "This anti-Christian hate needs to stop." He proposed tougher criminal penalties, including mandatory prison sentences for extortionists, enhanced laws against hate crimes, deportation of foreign criminals, and increased resources for law enforcement and border services.

"Frankly, Canadians of all faiths, including Christians, deserve to worship in peace," he added.