This week I met with the National Council of Canadian Muslims to discuss the rise of Islamophobia in Ontario; of the multiple incidents of violence targeting Muslim communities and mosques; of the hundreds of cases of mistreatment of Muslim and Palestinian staff and students in schools across Ontario, often directly connected to the conflict in Gaza.

Their experience mirrors the calls and emails we are receiving in our office from residents who are devastated by the loss of life and security in Gaza and fear the worrying rise in discrimination here in Ontario, which is far bigger than official statistics, because most hate crimes and hate incidents in Ontario go unreported.

Public dialogue about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has been so divisive, and it has harmed relationships between neighbours, colleagues, friends and Ontarians.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims has been clear in what they want Ontario legislators to do: Take proactive steps to halt the harassment and discrimination of Muslim, Arab and Palestinian Ontarians by reviving and passing the Our London Family Act, which includes an anti-hate strategy for the province and changes to education. It is a request that I support. It is a move that many of us in the Legislature support. It is a concrete step we can take to advance peace and diversity here in Ontario.