Don't just rely on government to combat hate crime, Trudeau says at Hamilton mosque

Canadians can't rely on the government to combat hate crime citizens have to play their part too,Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at Hamilton Mountain Mosque on Tuesdaymorning.

Trudeau saidrecent incidentssuch as the June vehicle attack of a London, Ont., family, and more recently thealleged attack on two Hamilton Muslim women by the driver ofa truck are "unacceptable and scary."

He was at the mosque gathering during the Muslim holy festival of Eid al-Adha, which began Monday.

During his remarks, Trudeaualso referenced homophobia, misogyny and anti-semitismas examples of hate that shouldn't be tolerated.

"We need all of us Muslim, non-Muslim to recognize that the intolerance and hatred that exists around the world also exists in Canada," he said.

But "it won't be enough just for governmentsto act even a federal government. It needs to be all Canadians.

"As much as the counter to that ought to be governmentpassing another law and we will the counter to that should come from our communities, our cities," said Trudeau.

"This community has never been afraid of a little hard work, and neither am I.We will roll up our sleeves together."

WATCH: Trudeau says all Canadians need to fight Islamophobia:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says combating Islamophobia is the responsibility of every Canadian

3 years ago

Duration 3:03

Trudeau says that the government will do what it can to fight Islamophobia, but Canadians also have a duty to call it out when they see it.

Speaking to reporters in theafternoon, he urged people to call out discrimination when they see it and stand with those who are afraid. He encouraged peoplereach out to community groups to find out ways to help.

Trudeau'svisit comes days after Hamilton Police Service saya mom and daughter were targeted in a hate crime that involved someone uttering anti-Muslim slurs.

The imam of the Hamilton Downtown Mosque, Kamal Gurgi, said the two women are his wife and daughter.

Police say a woman,62, and daughter, 26, werein an Ancaster Meadowlands parking lot on July 12when they were almost hit by a driver pulling out of a parking spot.

As the women walked away, the driverallegedly started chasing them in his truck.

A Cambridge, Ont., man now faces a number of charges, including assault with a weapon.

ImamsbelievePM taking Islamophobia seriously

Gurgi initially said the federal government didn't take enough action to thwart Islamophobia, but now has more optimism after meeting with Trudeau.

He said the prime minister promised to speed up themosque'sapplication to beef up security.

"I sensed his honesty and seriousness," Gurgi said in an interview on Tuesday afternoon.

He also said he agrees with Trudeau's comments that government cannot fight racism alone.

Trudeau's visit to Hamilton followsthe National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) release of60 policy recommendationsto combat hate and racism across the country.

Imam SayedTora, of the HamiltonMountain Mosque, saidTuesday he alsomet with Trudeau.

Tora echoed Gurgi'soptimism and said people shouldn't be fearful because the government, police and their faith will protect them.

Ottawa previously announcedanemergency national summiton Islamophobia set for July 22.

328 residential units set for Ontario

Trudeau also announced the government will build 328 rentalunits across southern Ontario, including 95 in Hamilton,72 in London, 68 in Mississauga, 50 in Simcoeand 43 in Kitchener.

He said the units will have an energy-efficient passive housing design, which will be better for the environment and have lower operating costs, translating into more affordable units.

Cost is pegged at about $5 million.

Trudeau made the announcement atIndwell's Royal Oak Dairyproject in the lower city's Landsdale neighbourhood.

Labour Minister Filomena Tassi, also MP for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, and Ahmed Hussen, minister of families, children and social development, joined him.

It comes as localshave complained about soaring home prices and rising rent costs in recent years.

The NDP, meanwhile, said in a media release that the Liberals haven't done enough to make housing more affordable in Canada.

The party said the Liberals needto propose a vacant non-resident home tax of more than one per cent and address money laundering in the real estate sector.