Police investigating hate

Police investigating hate-motivated arson threats against Whitby women's shelter

Whitby's mayor, National Council of Canadian Muslims denounce 'troubling norm' of Islamophobia

Police in Durham Region say they are investigating a series of arson threats and hateful online comments directed at a Muslim-run women's shelter in Whitby.

The threats were made against the Muslim Welfare Residences in a deleted social media post in a public Facebook group, called "Canadians Against Overreach."

The original post, which CBC News read before it was deleted, incorrectly suggested the shelter was being funded by "the government" to provide "Muslim housing," and suggested Muslims should not be allowed to apply for social housing.

At least two people commenting on the post discussed setting it on fire.

CBC News has reached out to the administrator of the public group for comment.

Muslim Welfare Residences filed a police report after it was alerted by a community member that the posts garnered significant traction over the weekend.

"I can confirm that our Hate Crime and Extremism Unit has received this information and is currently investigating," said Durham police Sgt. Nicholas Gluckstein in a statement to CBC News.

The Muslim Welfare Residences has been a fixture in Whitby for decades, providing emergency shelter and transitional housing for women and children of all backgrounds.

Charity not 'discouraged' by hate

In that time, it has been targeted on several occasions, according to Ali Chatha, a senior adviser with Muslim Welfare Canada (MWC), the larger faith-based organization that operates the two shelters in Whitby.

“We will not be discouraged by hateful commentary or the threats that are being made," he said.

Last year, Chatha said a sign outside its emergency shelter was vandalized with the word “DEPORT” spray-painted over it.

But while it typically does not involve police when it comes to general misinformation and mischief, Chatha said the MWC is obligated to report incidents of violence or threats for the safety of its residents and staff.

"We're disheartened and we're frustrated that these types of things keep happening," he added.

Chatha said Muslim Welfare Canada aims to support all Canadians living in poverty.

In addition to its Whitby shelters, the group has several food banks across the GTA, two more in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and is building a long-term care home in Clarington, Ont.

It also operates meals-on-wheels programming for seniors, runs nutritional programs in 28 schools across Toronto and Durham Region, and has launched two free medical clinics since 2009.

“It’s not service to Muslims, it’s service to all people,” Chatha said.

Mayor denounces 'harmful' rhetoric

Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy addressed the situation in a statement on her Facebook page, denouncing the threats and the misinformation that sparked them.

In her statement, Roy emphasized the importance of standing against such rhetoric, noting that hate has no place in the community.

“At a time when misinformation and division spread quickly online, it’s important that we respond with facts,” she said.

She, along with several fellow councillors, have used their platform to denounce the threats and offer support to the MWC.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims said it was "relieved" to see the mayor voice her support for the MWC.

Steven Zhou, a spokesperson for the council, said the organization was "disturbed to learn of the initial threats towards MWC, which is an organization that has worked to alleviate poverty in the Greater Toronto region and beyond."

"We also know that violent and threatening Islamophobia has become a troubling norm in Canada," Zhou added, pointing to the recent fifth anniversary of the 2021 London, Ont. terror attack as a reminder of the real-world consequences of hate.

The NCCM has called on all municipal and provincial leaders to "liaise closely with community members to build a real plan that tackles the rise in Islamophobia across Canada."

A Statistics Canada report indicated a 94 per cent increase in hate-related crimes against Muslims from 2024 to 2025, but also stated the number could potentially be higher due to "underreporting" of those crimes.

Christian D'Avino is a reporter for CBC News in Oshawa. He can be reached at: christian.davino@cbc.ca