Release:

NOTE: The following is a statement from Attorney General and Justice Minister Scott Armstrong, Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism

I want to state very plainly that hate has no place in Nova Scotia.

The incident that took place at Costco on Saturday, July 4, was despicable and deeply disturbing. We want a society where everyone belongs and where everyone is respected. Nobody should be afraid to go about their lives – including doing everyday things like getting groceries.

That’s why Nova Scotia is the first province with legislation to dismantle racism and hate. It’s guiding our actions in government and it’s part of how we lead by example.

Further, our Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy reinforces our commitment to supporting communities impacted by hate motivated incidents. The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism will continue to prioritize this work with relevant partners across the province.

We know that harms often intersect with race, colour, gender, religion, creed, and national and ethnic origin. We saw that in this horrible incident. It is important to report these events when they unfortunately happen.

You can report them to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and to police, including Halifax Regional Police’s Hate Crime Unit. I appreciate that police are investigating this incident and I encourage anyone with information to step forward.

I also applaud the people who stood up for this family at Costco.

When we watch silently, we entrench the status quo. When we come together and stand up for what’s right, we’re choosing a path toward a safer and more inclusive society where everyone lives peacefully with dignity, respect and a sense of belonging.