Canadian Member of Parliament Jamil Jivani has submitted a motion to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, urging stronger protections for the freedom to worship amid rising violence and criminal intimidation against religious communities.

The motion, submitted Monday, calls on the committee to recognize the growing number of attacks on churches, mosques, synagogues, and Hindu temples since 2021. It also seeks action to ensure that all Canadians can worship freely and safely, without fear of targeted violence.

Jivani emphasized that religious institutions across Canada have increasingly become targets of hate crimes, including arson, firebombings, vandalism, and violent protests. The motion notes that over 100 churches have been desecrated or burned, Hindu temples attacked by pro-Khalistan protestors, and synagogues and Jewish schools subjected to firebombings and shootings.

To counter this trend, the motion urges the committee to conduct a comprehensive study into these threats and consider legal reforms. These include introducing “bubble zone” laws around places of worship to prevent harassment and increasing criminal penalties for arson and violence targeting religious institutions.

Jivani also called for two committee meetings on the issue and the submission of a report to the House of Commons with concrete recommendations.

The motion comes amid several recent incidents, including the April defacement of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Surrey with pro-Khalistan graffiti, and a violent protest near the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton last November. Other temples in Windsor, Mississauga, and Brampton have also been vandalized in similar attacks, prompting strong condemnation from Indian and Canadian leaders alike.

Jivani’s initiative highlights growing concern about the safety of religious minorities and the need for urgent legislative and law enforcement measures to protect freedom of worship in Canada.