Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honour the memory of the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust, along with the countless others who suffered under Nazi persecution.

This day serves as a powerful reminder of where unchecked hatred can lead. It also challenges us to reflect on our shared responsibility to ensure history is never forgotten and to stand united against hate, prejudice, and discrimination in all its forms.

In Whitby, we take pride in being a welcoming and inclusive community.

In recent months, two incidents of antisemitic vandalism have caused pain and fear for our Jewish residents and for everyone who values a safe and inclusive town.

I want to assure Whitby residents that there is zero tolerance in our community for antisemitism and all forms of hate.

I’m pleased to share that funding for a dedicated hate crimes unit has been approved in the Durham Region Police Service’s 2025 Budget, providing additional resources to investigate hate crimes, support victims, and collaborate with community groups.

The Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce, in partnership with DRPS, has also launched a “Reporting a Hate Crime” initiative to better equip community organizations and the public with tools to identify and report hate incidents. Posters with this information are available to community organizations and local businesses.

At the Town of Whitby, we remain committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and beyond.

Today, we invited all Town employees to participate in a two-hour Holocaust Remembrance Day learning session, which includes a live stream of the International Holocaust Remembrance event at the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa, followed by guided reflection and discussion.

On this solemn day of remembrance, let us reaffirm our commitment to stand united against hate and work together to make Whitby a community where every resident feels safe, welcome, and valued.