Even as Toronto was still reeling from a horrific van attack that left at least 10 dead, the city’s mayor was making sure he and his people were not accused of “jumping to conclusions” that the incident might be related to radical Islamic terror.
Police apprehended the attacker, who has been charged with 10 counts of first degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder, but his rationale for driving a huge van into a crowd of people on a Toronto sidewalk is still unclear. His attack “had the hallmarks of deadly vehicle assaults by Islamic State supporters,” Reuters reported, and the attacker is rumored to have suggested he was about to “incite a rebellion” on social media, but Justin Trudeau’s government says they aren’t convinced just yet.
At least Toronto’s mayor, John Tory, wants you to know that the government hasn’t pinned the attack on terrorism because Canada is an “inclusive” and welcoming place.
WATCH:
Toronto Mayor @JohnTory: “This is a time when this community should come together…I hope that we will, as a city, remind ourselves of the fact that we are admired around the world for being inclusive and for being accepting and understanding and considerate.” pic.twitter.com/prHLH4n6HR
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 23, 2018
This is a time when this community should come together,” Tory said. “I hope that we will, as a city, remind ourselves of the fact that we are admired around the world for being inclusive and for being accepting and understanding and considerate.”
Canada has been struggling with that “warm” and “tolerant” ideal as of late, as hundreds of illegal immigrants cross their border seeking refuge from hostile American immigration policies. This is also the second vehicle attack Canadians have suffered. The first was an attack by a Somali refugee on a busy shopping center in Edmonton, Alberta in October 2017.