Statement from Mayor McCabe regarding hate-motivated incident based on gender identity

I remain deeply shaken by the multiple stabbing incident that occurred on the University of Waterloo campus yesterday. The knowledge that this attack targeted a Gender Studies class, during the month of Pride, is a sober reminder that there are those within our community who feel emboldened to express identity-based hatred, through words, actions and violence.

We are with the victims, their families, the university community, the 2SLGBTQ+ community and all who have all been affected by this senseless act of hate.

Let me be very clear: people of all gender identities are welcome in the City of Waterloo. You are welcome in our programs, in accessing our services, in Council chambers and all City facilities and on our staff teams. These are your spaces, in your City, and we know we must work to make them safe and welcoming for you. Expressions of a discriminatory or hateful nature by any individual are not acceptable.

The City of Waterloo is committed to proactively responding to identity-based discrimination, hate and violence. We know that this hate exists in our community, as much as we adamantly insist that it is not welcome. We know there is much work to be done. As part of our strategic priority for Reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion, we are taking action.

Our first step is updating the City’s "Respectful Workplace Policy" to better address hate and harassment based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other protected grounds within public spaces owned by the City. We are training our staff, security and volunteers on how to appropriately respond to all hate incidents, and involving equity-deserving groups in our creation of welcoming spaces.

We are working on a guide to help people navigate reporting procedures and access available support services following a hate incident, and discussing how to work with community partners after a hate incident to support the affected community in their healing process.

The City values the diversity in our community, and being an inclusive and caring community for all persons, inclusive of race, religion, abilities, age, sexual identity and circumstances of birth. We will continue to use our resources to address hate anywhere in Waterloo.