Marc Dalton stands up for churches

Since 2010, 592 places of worship across Canada have been the target of arsonists. 145 of these attacks have been in BC; 126 in Ontario; 161 across the Prairies; 48 in the Atlantic Provinces; 103 in Quebec; and 7 in the Territories. There is no specific sentencing against this in the current criminal code.

Conservative MP for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge in British Columbia, Marc Dalton, has seen enough. He has drafted Bill C-411 to draw attention to this issue. He says “I believe places of worship are a safe haven. I’m personally active in my local church and believe that we are a healthy part of our community. A church that my father attended in Morinville [Alberta] was burned and it was a piece of history. [Built 114 years ago by French Canadians].” This past September, Geda Wodisso and Zenabu Gula were burned alive while seeking refuge in a Winnipeg place of worship “because someone wanted to inflict hate. We must protect places of worship.”

Dalton (Chair of the BC Conservative caucus) was born on the Canadian Forces Base of Baden-Soellingen in Germany. His father was part of the Royal Canadian Armed Forces so Marc spent his early years traveling and living on different bases across Canada. Marc is Cree Metis on his father’s side and French Canadian on his mother’s side. His biography states that he “is a firm believer in helping the less fortunate and he actively participated in building and supporting communities in this area. At the age of 16 he volunteered with a non-profit evangelical organization that supported communities in Central America and Canadian inner cities. Through his time working with communities in Central America he learned Spanish, making him trilingual in French, English, and Spanish.”

Bill C-411 proposes adjusting the criminal code to set up a five-year sentence for arsonists with a first offense and seven years for any additional offenses. The offense would include acts against churches, mosques, Gudwaras, Temples, or synagogues. A May 30 attack on the Schara Tzedeck synagogue in Vancouver while worshippers were still inside would be included. Another attack on a mosque in Peterborough, Ontario, burned just after a group had gathered to celebrate the birth of a baby, would also be included. 

“Marc’s Christian faith is another important aspect of his personal life and after completing his education Marc took on the call to become a Pastor and served in the Vancouver area for a period of time. Prior to entering politics Marc married his wife Marlene and raised three children, while working as a teacher. Marc taught at both the elementary and high school levels in the 42nd Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District. He worked as a teacher for 17 years and taught primarily French Immersion and Socials Studies. He also served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves shortly after graduating and is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.”

Bill C-411 is currently outside the order of precedence but Dalton says “a Conservative government will implement this policy and others to protect places of worship. Recently, there was a unanimous consent motion condemning attacks on places of worship and all parties should join our effort to see that their communities are safe.” 

When asked about the ramifications for religious Canadians, should this bill be passed, Dalton replied, “religious Canadians will feel that they can seek justice when their places of worship are attacked. Faith communities do so much for our communities, the least we can do is attempt to protect their public safety.”