Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. (Canadian Press)

By David Opinko

Kenney “unequivocally condemns” arsons at Catholic churches

Jun 30, 2021 | 3:13 PM

SIKSIKA NATION, AB – Alberta’s Premier is coming out against a set of fires at Catholic churches in the province.

Since the discoveries of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools across the country, fires have been started at numerous churches including ones on the Siksika First Nation and in Morinville.

READ MORE: Fire destroys Catholic Church north of Edmonton, RCMP say blaze suspicious

READ MORE: RCMP investigating “suspicious fire” at Siksika Nation Catholic church

“The Government of Alberta unequivocally condemns recent arson attacks that have targeted Christian churches across Canada and Alberta,” reads part of a statement from Premier Jason Kenney.

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He says l’église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste was in the heart of Morinville and a key part of the spiritual life of Alberta’s Francophone community.

“This is unacceptable in Alberta. It is unacceptable in Canada. These attacks targeting Christian churches are attempts to destroy the spiritual sites that are important to people of faith across Alberta, including many Indigenous people.”

“The Canada we know is not one where hate-motivated arson attacks targeting religious communities are commonplace or allowed to continue.”

In response, Kenney announced a doubling of funding for the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program.

READ MORE: Province announces program to protect targets of hate-motivated crimes

It now has $2-million to help communities that are at risk of hate-motivated crimes.

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu with work with ALERT and police chiefs across the province to immediately set up monitoring and protection of potential target sites.

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