Canada

OTTAWA — U.S. President Donald Trump might not be on his way to Canada any time soon, but he — and his decision to order a temporary ban on visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries — is expected to be front and centre as MPs return to Ottawa on Monday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who created a bit of a stir over the weekend when he tweeted a thinly veiled message to the American administration about how Canada welcomes refugees regardless of their religion, is scheduled to be in the House of Commons for question period that will likely focus on all things Trump.

The New Democrats are calling for an emergency debate Monday on the implications of the executive order signed by Trump, which also put an indefinite halt to the Syrian refugee program south of the border and created much confusion for Canadians — including at the highest levels of the Liberal government.

"I think the implications could be far-reaching," said NDP MP Jenny Kwan, the immigration critic for her party.

Kwan said she wants to know how the executive order will affect Canadians, and what the Liberal government plans to do about it.

"I think the implications could be far-reaching." —
Jenny Kwan

Some of those answers came later Sunday afternoon, when Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen held a news conference in Ottawa alongside Daniel Jean, the national security adviser, and other officials to share what they had been able to glean in talks with the White House and other American officials.

The group said they were told that people with Canadian passports, including dual citizens, will not be affected and were never intended to be. Those with permanent resident status in Canada — and carrying valid permanent resident cards along with a passport from one of the affected countries — will also be able to enter the U.S. as before, said Hussen, who came to Canada as a refugee from Somalia.

Hussen also said he agreed with Trudeau's decision to issue his messages about welcoming refugees to Canada on Twitter.

To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017

"They illustrate our long-standing tradition of openness and welcome to those who seek protection, sanctuary, refuge and those who flee persecution and war regardless of their faith," said Hussen, who was sworn in as immigration minister earlier this month.

Government House Leader Bardish Chagger seemed open to the call for a debate, although she noted it would be at the discretion of Speaker Geoff Regan.

"We think they should have the opportunity to debate this important issue in the House," she said.

Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel said she wants to see more debate on immigration policy in general, including the consequences of lifting visa requirements for Mexican visitors and progress on the Liberals' commitment to settle Yazidi refugees.

Immigration minister Ahmed Hussen addressed Trump's immigration ban on Sunday. (Photo: Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

"I think we need to have a broader discussion about immigration policy in Canada in light of a lot of the inflamed rhetoric on both sides of this debate," Rempel said Sunday.

Trump and what he means to Canada was always going to be a major theme for the return to Parliament and in the weeks leading up to the federal budget.

Rona Ambrose, the interim Conservative leader, made it clear she would be pressing Trudeau for more details on how he plans to handle the challenge.

"There hasn't yet been a single explanation about how he plans to keep Canada competitive with a new American administration that is focused on keeping jobs south of the border," she said Friday.

Upcoming budget and jobs also on the menu

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair also pushed Trudeau to focus on jobs.

"There's no question that objective things, like the threat of more protectionism, are things that have to be taken into account, but the way to move forward is to start doing the same thing here that they're doing there — look at what we can do in Canada to create good, full-time, well-paid jobs here," Mulcair said last week.

This week will also be the first time that opposition MPs get to grill Trudeau over his use of a private aircraft during a vacation with the Aga Khan, which is now being examined by the ethics commissioner. They are also expected to continue pressing him on the cash-for-access fundraisers that dogged the Liberals before the break.

Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel also wants more debate on Canada's immigration policy. (Photo: CP files)

Chagger, meanwhile, noted they also have a lot of legislative work to do.

That includes the bills on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), safe-injection sites, strengthening the independence of Statistics Canada, and the one to establish a national security and intelligence committee to provide parliamentary oversight to intelligence services

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OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may have taken to Twitter this weekend to defend immigration and diversity, but behind the scenes there's a formidable ghost bedevilling the machinery of Canadian government — Donald Trump.

The U.S. president's way of communicating — Tweets, various interview musings and executive order pronouncements — have upended the traditional, time-honoured way of conducting the business of Canada's relations with its largest trading partner and top ally.

The effect, sources tell The Canadian Press, is historic because the usual way that Canada and most western governments would make foreign policy has been thrown out the window.

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum to security services directing them to defeat the Islamic State in the Oval Office at the White House on Jan. 28, 2017. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

The bottom line, they say, is the absence of something very basic — paper.

Trump's first week in the White House has done away with the usual formula of public administration.

In the pre-Trump world, a foreign government would make an announcement — state its intent to do something — then the paper would follow. That usually meant a written, well-considered policy statement on the way forward, or a piece of legislation that was designed to get the job done.

Canadian bureaucrats would then in turn draft a policy or a response. But their pens are down, sources say, because they have nothing tangible to analyze from the Americans.

Sticking to talking points

The insiders spoke to The Canadian Press on the condition they not be identified because of the sensitivity surrounding the issue.

For the most part, this back-and-forth chaos has meant that Canada's approach has been to adhere to a very strict and basic strategy — reinforcing the positives of the deeply-integrated Canada-U.S. trading relationship with its intertwined supply chains, said one source.

That explains the almost slavish adherence to the talking points that Trudeau and other cabinet ministers have been using — that 35 U.S. states have Canada as their number one customer, that nine million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Canada.

But on Saturday, Trudeau moved beyond that cautious approach when he used Twitter to react to Trump's order barring citizens of seven countries, including Syria, from entering the United States.

"To those fleeing persecution, terror (and) war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith," read Trudeau's tweet, followed by one containing a photo of him greeting a young Syrian refugee.

To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017

Meanwhile, Trudeau's officials needed to act swiftly to clarify what Trump's travel ban would mean for Canadians with dual citizenship. Would they be turned away at the border?

Trudeau's National Security Adviser Daniel Jean and other officials reached out to their American counterparts, including Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, for answers, Trudeau's spokeswoman Kate Purchase said late Saturday.

"NSA Flynn confirmed that holders of Canadian passports, including dual citizens, will not be affected by the ban," Purchase said.

That contradicted a statement earlier in the day from the U.S. State Department that said Canadians with dual citizenship from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Libya would be denied entry for the next three months along with citizens from those countries.

Several hundred people rally against a temporary travel ban signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in an executive order, during a protest in Hamtramck, Michigan on Jan. 29, 2017. (Photo: Rebecca Cook/Reuters)

The Trump pattern of pronouncements-then-contradictions obscures the connection between what the president said and what gets pursued, sources say.

They cite numerous examples that are sowing confusion, including Thursday's upheaval over a proposed 20-per-cent border tax on imports from Mexico as a way of making it pay for the U.S. wall Trump wants to build between the two countries.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer later climbed down from the proposal, saying it was just an option for paying for the wall.

Examples of this abounded during the Congressional hearings to vet Trump's cabinet choices. Trump blasted NATO as obsolete, but his pick for defence secretary, the retired general James Mattis, spoke favourably about the alliance.

Stephen Schwarzman is the head of the president's Strategic and Policy Forum. (Photo: Canadian Press)

On NAFTA, Trump threatened to tear up the deal prior to his election, but just days after his inauguration one of his senior economic advisers offered Canada reassurance.

Stephen Schwarzman, the head of the president's Strategic and Policy Forum, said there was no need for Canada to be "enormously worried" because it is well regarded and will be in a good position should there be a NAFTA renegotiation.

Canadian officials have signalled a willingness to keep the three-country deal alive; or to pursue a bilateral deal with the U.S. that would exclude Mexico. But their preference is a three-country agreement.

"Definitely that's still Plan A," said another source.

"If we feel going it alone is going to give us a better deal, we have to look after Canadian interests."

"Canadian companies are affected by these supply chains. It becomes pretty cumbersome (to split up NAFTA)."

But the official said everything depends on what Trump does next.

"If we feel going it alone is going to give us a better deal, we have to look after Canadian interests," said the source.

"But it would be disruptive."

The internal government confusion is mirrored by the divisions among Canadian analysts over whether Trump can act alone on NAFTA or needs the support of U.S. Congress.

"The President likely has the legal authority to withdraw the U.S. from the NAFTA on his own," said a recent analysis by the Toronto law firm Bennett Jones.

The firm added that he has "considerable latitude to pull the U.S. from the NAFTA with or without Congressional support."

But another recent report, from the C.D. Howe Institute concluded, "the ultimate power to withdraw from NAFTA rests with the United States Congress, and not with the president."

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Six people were killed and eight others injured when attackers opened fire in a Quebec City mosque, shortly after Sunday evening prayers.

“We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement.

A joint terrorism task force that includes provincial police, the RCMP and Montreal police has been deployed. Two men in custody have been identified as the gunmen, according to media reports on Monday.

quebec mosque shooting

Canadian security forces patrol after a shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City on Jan. 29, 2017. (Photo: Renaud Philippe/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

A witness told Radio-Canada that he saw two men wearing black ski masks enter the Islamic Cultural Centre around 7:45 pm ET. One yelled something to do with "Allah" in a “strong Quebecois accent," he recalled.

He said he wasn’t sure what kind of weapons the suspects had, because his attention shifted to people who were suddenly hurt.

"As soon as I saw the person that was near me fall ... we all threw ourselves on the ground,” he said. “Six people who were standing and praying, they died."

quebec city mosque shooting

Bystanders are seen near the Islamic Cultural Centre after the shooting on Jan. 29, 2017. (Photo: Renaud Philippe/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The victims, all men, are between 39 and about 60, RCMP national security Supt. Martin Plante told reporters at a press conference Monday morning.

Plante said police apprehended one of the suspects at the scene around 7:55 p.m., while another suspect called 911 around 8:10 p.m. and identified himself. He was arrested about an hour later near Ile-d'Orleans, just east of Quebec City's downtown core.

At the Monday press conference, police declined to provide any identifying details about the suspects beyond the fact that they are both male and are in their late 20s or early 30s.

They also would not talk about the type of firearms used in the slayings.

No other suspects, police believe

On Sunday evening, Christine Coulombe, spokeswoman for the provincial police force, said 39 other people in the centre at the time of the shooting were not hurt.

"Nothing right now makes us believe that there would be other suspects related to this event. However, you'll understand that we're not taking any chances, so we are making the necessary verifications to ensure that there are none," Couloumbe said.

quebec mosque

An ambulance is parked at the scene of a fatal shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City on Jan. 29, 2017. (Photo: Mathieu Belanger/Reuters)

Mohamed Yangui, the mosque's president, told TVA that there are usually 60 to 100 people at the mosque on Sunday nights.

Live video posted to the centre's Facebook page showed the immediate response by emergency crews in the Sainte-Foy neighbourhood.

One of the people behind the camera can be heard saying in Arabic: "He's escaped. He was on his feet, he's escaped."

Another man begins naming people who were inside the mosque, but is told to stop in order to avoid worrying anyone who is watching the live video.

"This is the result of Trump," says a bystander in Arabic.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that banned citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from travelling to the U.S. for 120 days, and blocked the entry of Syrian refugees to the country. The ban is part of fulfilling a Trump promise during his presidential campaign that was filled with anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Posted by Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec on Sunday, January 29, 2017

The office of Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said no motive has been confirmed.

Last year, a gift-wrapped pig's head was left outside the same cultural centre, accompanied by a card reading "Bon Appétit."

In 2014, the mosque was also the target of vandalism and hate mail.

quebec 2017

Police officers are seen near a mosque after a shooting in Quebec City on Jan. 29, 2017. (Photo: Mathieu Belanger/Reuters)

In a press conference in the early hours of Monday, Premier Philippe Couillard said Quebec, like so many places in the world hit by terrorism, would face it with courage.

He mentioned public gatherings later Monday across the province would allow people to express their horror but also their solidarity, and highlighted a message to Muslim Quebecers.

"We are with you. You are in your home. You are welcome in your home. We are all Quebecers," Couillard said. "We must together continue to build a society that is open, welcoming and pacifist."

Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume was visibly shaken at the news conference. "No human should have to pay with their life for their race, their colour, their sexual orientation, of their religious beliefs," he told reporters. "I want to express my disgust against this villainous act. I want to tell the members of the Muslim community, those who are our neighbours, our co-citizens, that they can count on our support, our solidarity, but mostly I want to tell them that we love them."

"We are with you. You are in your home.''
— Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard

The mosque issued a Facebook statement early Monday after confirmation of the six dead.

"All our thoughts are with the children who have to be told their father has died,'' said the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec. "May Allah give them patience and strength.''

Some mosques in Canada were reportedly tightening security, while police in New York City were also on heightened patrol around places of worship after the Quebec attack.

Terrorist threat level 'medium'

Last year, a federal report found that the terrorist threat level was "medium," meaning that a "violent act of terrorism could occur in Canada."

It found: "The principal terrorist threat to Canada remains that posed by violent extremists who could be inspired to carry out an attack in Canada. Violent extremist ideologies espoused by terrorist groups like Daesh and al-Qaida continue to appeal to certain individuals in Canada."

When he released the report, Goodale said it was his duty to inform Canadians about the threats.

A photo of Aaron Driver is seen at an RCMP press conference in Ottawa on Aug. 11, 2016.

"Homegrown terrorists" were behind two unrelated attacks in 2014 on Canadian soldiers. Warrant officer Patrice Vincent died of his injuries after being rammed by a vehicle in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot to death on Parliament Hill.

The Ottawa shooter, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, was reportedly admired by a fellow Canadian named Aaron Driver — who was killed during a police operation last August. Authorities believed that Driver, 24, planned to use a bomb to carry out a suicide bombing mission in a public area.

With files from Mohamed Omar, Althia Raj, and The Canadian Press

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Canada's political leaders reacted Sunday to word of a shooting at a Quebec City mosque involving six fatalities and eight injuries, here are some of their comments:

— "Canadians grieve for those killed in a cowardly attack on a mosque in Quebec City. My thoughts are with victims & their families.'' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Twitter.

Please read my statement on tonight’s terrorist attack in Quebec City: https://t.co/58NRcOAUmB
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 30, 2017

— "All our solidarity is with those who are close to the victims, the injured and their families.'' Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard.

— "Horrified at the news of a shooting in a mosque tonight in Quebec City. We stand with our Muslim neighbours against this act of hatred.'' NDP leader Tom Mulcair.

— "Shocking news. We just returned from Quebec City. Praying for the victims of this unspeakable crime. Those responsible must face justice.'' Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose.

Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP)

— "Our hearts are heavy with the news out of Quebec City tonight. No one should ever fear worshiping their God in Canada.'' Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

— "This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with the victims and their families tonight.'' British Columbia Premier Christy Clark.

World leaders also commented on the attack.

"Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together.'' New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman condemned the "despicable'' attack at a Quebec City mosque.

Spokesman Steffen Seibert said the German leader was shocked by the shooting during Sunday evening prayers that left six people dead.

Seibert said Monday: :If the killers intended to set people of different faiths against each other or to divide them, they must not and will not succeed in that. We stand in mourning beside the Muslim community in Quebec.''

French President Francois Hollande offered solidarity for Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Photo: Reuters)

French President Francois Hollande has condemned the "odious attack'' on a Quebec mosque and offered support for Canada's leaders.

Hollande, whose country has suffered a string of Islamic extremist attacks, said in a statement that "it was the Quebecois spirit of peace and openness that the terrorists wanted to harm'' in Sunday's attack.

Hollande, whose country has suffered a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks, said "France stands at the sides of the victims and their families,'' and offered solidarity for Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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Two suspects arrested after a deadly shooting at a Quebec City mosque on Sunday have been identified by several media outlets.

Alexandre Bissonnette and Mohamed Khadir are reportedly awaiting court appearances Monday.

ALERTE | Les deux auteurs présumés de l'attentat terroriste à la mosquée de Sainte-Foy sont Alexandre Bissonnette et Mohamed Khadir
— TVA nouvelles (@tvanouvelles) January 30, 2017

One of the suspects called 911 to indicate he wanted to work with authorities. The same suspect waited for police to arrest him near the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec after the shooting.

Police confirmed at a press conference the six people killed during the mosque attack are between the ages of 35 and 60. The shooting left another 19 people, all men, wounded.

quebec mosque shooting

Police attend the scene of a shooting at a Quebec City mosque on Jan. 30. (Photo: Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

“He was armed and spoke to us about his acts,” said Insp. Denis Turcotte. “He seemed to want to co-operate....The suspect said he was waiting for the police to arrive.”

Both suspects were previously unknown to authorities. A motive has yet to be determined.

Police: ‘Threat is under control’

Mosques in the city are under increased security measures following the deadly incident.

quebec shooting mosque

People come to show their support after a shooting occurred in a mosque at the Quebec City Islamic cultural in Quebec city on Jan. 29. (Photo: Alice Chiche/AFP/Getty Images)

Gunmen opened fired inside the mosque, in the city’s Sainte-Foy neighbourhood, as the evening prayer service was ending.

“We are confident that the threat is under control,” said Superintendent Martin Plante.

Police were reticent about confirming the suspects’ identities, citing sensitivities surrounding an active investigation.

However, Plante did say the two men arrested last night are in their late 20s and early 30s.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Barb, is that really you?

The character from "Stranger Things," played by actress Shannon Purser, was almost unrecognizable at the annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday.

Because you know, this is the Barb we're used to...

barb stranger things

Yup, good old Barb in her '80s fashion and her round glasses.

barb stranger things

But a new Barb showed up on the red caret on Sunday, leaving many fans shocked at her ensemble. Dressed in a beautiful black gown, the 19-year-old actress wasn't channelling her nerdy character one bit.

shannon purser stranger things

Actress Shannon Purser arrives for the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Exposition Center on January 29, 2017.

And if you're a fan of the Netflix series (warning, spoilers ahead), then you know our beloved Barb is taken too soon.

And while there have been many rumours circulating for the return of Barb on the show, co-star and main actress Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, told Entertainment Weekly that Barb is not returning.

“No, she’s not alive!”

Sigh, Barb!

Actress Shannon Purser arrives for the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Exposition Center on January 29, 2017.

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The deadly attacks at a Quebec City mosque Sunday evening drew some trolling from American white nationalist leader Richard Spencer.

Six people were killed and eight others injured when attackers opened fire in a Quebec City mosque, shortly after Sunday evening prayers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the deadly shooting as "senseless violence."

“Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear,” the prime minister said in a statement.

Spencer, the U.S.-based white nationalist movement punched during President Donald Trump’s inauguration in a viral video, sent a tweet aimed at Trudeau.

Refugees welcome, y'all #QuebecCity
— Richard Spencer (@RichardBSpencer) January 30, 2017

The prime minister had shared messages welcoming refugees in light of travel bans seen in the United States over the weekend.

The leader of the racist movement, then mentioned Trudeau in a tweet, and in another, added "eh".

Spencer tried to compare Canada with France, saying “It's almost as if French Canada has the same problem as France with Muslims.”

It's almost as if French Canada has the same problem as France with Muslims. #QuebecCity
— Richard Spencer (@RichardBSpencer) January 30, 2017

Spencer is the head of the National Policy Institute, a white nationalist “research and educational” foundation. He’s also credited with coming up with the term “alt right” in an attempt to rebrand white nationalism, presumably to make it sound less like an extremist, racist hate movement.

Richard Spencer is the head of the National Policy Institute. (Photo: Getty Images)

On Sunday evening, two men wearing black ski masks entered the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City and begin yelling. The victims are between 35 and about 60, according to provincial police.

Thirty-nine other people in the centre at the time of the shooting were not hurt.

Two male suspects are in custody, said Coulombe. One was arrested not far from the mosque, while the other was caught near Ile-d'Orleans, just east of Quebec City's downtown core.

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In the chaos following U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to ban refugees and immigrants, a five-year-old boy was detained for hours at Washington Dulles International Airport.

On Saturday, the boy, who is a U.S. citizen from Maryland, was travelling from Iran to Washington, D.C. with a family member to meet his mother, who is Iranian, WILX 10 reports. Unfortunately, the five-year-old was held in custody by airport authorities for several hours before he was finally reunited with her.

In the emotional reunion, the mom and other relatives are seen giving the boy hugs and kisses. The mother is also heard singing “Happy Birthday” to him.

Trump’s executive order temporarily bans immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Syria. As a result, a number of immigrants and refugees were detained at airports over the weekend following the order’s signing on Friday. However, the five-year-old’s detainment, in particular, struck a nerve with the public.

On Facebook, U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland revealed that he had given airport authorities “advance notice” that the boy would be arriving, yet the child was still detained.

“Shame on you, Donald Trump,” Van Hollen wrote in his impassioned post. “And thank goodness for the federal judge who upheld the rule of law and temporarily blocked the implementation of Trump’s removal order. We must remain vigilant and fight back.”

Many agreed with Van Hollen's stance and shared their outrage on Twitter.

Hi Trump supporters. Here's your big, scary terrorist. A 5 year old boy, detained for hours, desperately waiting for his Mom.
Shame on you. https://t.co/o7TXB9yOLB
— Enid-Raye Adams (@enidrayeadams) January 29, 2017

Despicable that a 5 YEAR OLD was detained for HOURS away from his mother. America, we are better than this. https://t.co/6GxLJs9YL5
— Leela Daou (@leeladaou) January 29, 2017

This is nothing short of horrific. A 5-year-old child. Detained. https://t.co/Ahs8Z3RrB0
— Caroline O. (@RVAwonk) January 29, 2017

We’re a country that welcomes immigrants and refugees, not terrorizes them. #nomuslimban https://t.co/R2I1QqHSXZ
— Jill Smokler (@smoklerjill) January 29, 2017

In addition to this, protests were held at Dulles Airport, as well as at airports nationwide over the weekend.

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While thousands turned up at airports across the U.S. Saturday to protest one of President Donald Trump's latest executive orders, first daughter Ivanka Trump had her priorities squarely in check — she wanted the Internet to check out her pretty, shiny dress.

Seemingly unfazed by her father's decision to temporarily bar the citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, Ivanka posted a photo of herself and husband Jared Kushner to both her Instagram and Twitter accounts late Saturday night, showing the couple dressed to the nines and ready for a night on the town.

A photo posted by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Jan 28, 2017 at 9:04pm PST

At the time of her posting, chaos was erupting at airports worldwide, with many prevented from boarding flights overseas to the United States, and at least 100 people being detained in U.S. airports.

Social media exploded, with many criticizing Ivanka as "tone deaf" and "out of touch" for posting an ill-timed photograph when much of the world was dealing with a humanitarian crisis created at the hands of her father.

.@IvankaTrump's tone deaf, heartless tweet as hundreds of thousands take to streets tonight to protect Muslim refugees from deportation. https://t.co/kEs0qqniqf
— Kierán Suckling (@KieranSuckling) January 30, 2017

Thousands of families are being ripped apart because of your father but that's a cute dress. Have fun at your party! https://t.co/yzuakVrEcy
— Cole Ledford (@ColeLedford11) January 29, 2017

@IvankaTrump Your father is responsible for two senior citizens with green cards being illegally detained at O'Hare for 10 hours.Have fun!
— Cher (@thecherness) January 29, 2017

Some people on Twitter posted a photo of a little girl in a refugee camp wearing a metallic blanket around her shoulders. "Who wore it better?" they asked.

@chrislhayes @IvankaTrump wow who wore it better pic.twitter.com/HhWBPO3A9V
— Janie (@janie) January 29, 2017

Several people went so far as to compare Ivanka to Marie Antoinette, the wife of French King Louis XVI, who supposedly uttered the phrase “Let them eat cake!” when she heard that famine was leaving peasants without food staples like bread.

One commenter on Instagram said "She is like Marie Antoinette, wearing ball gowns while thousands of people are marching because her father is tearing families apart. Shame on her. Shame on her father."

@MattfDoyle @crawdady21 @Eva_Shogouki01 This picture makes me think of a qoute "let them eat cake" right?
— nae (@renae_rp) January 29, 2017

And, of course, there were those who found no political issue — they simply didn't care for the dress.

@IvankaTrump your dress looks like tin foil
— He wants the oil!! (@tracymcc0915) January 29, 2017

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the more than one million Canadian Muslims coming to grips with a bloody terrorist attack at a Quebec City mosque must know they are loved and not alone in their pain.

“Thirty-six million hearts are breaking with yours,” Trudeau said in the House of Commons Monday, a day after six people were gunned down at the Centre culturel islamique de Quebec mosque. At least 12 others were injured in the massacre.

“Know that we value you. You enrich our shared country in immeasurable ways. It is your home.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau receives applause after commenting on the Quebec City mosque shootings in the House of Commons on Jan. 30, 2017. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP)

Trudeau reiterated that the attack on innocents praying peacefully was a clear act of terror, meant only to sow discord and hatred. Instead, the prime minister said, Canadians will heal together.

“We will grieve with you, we will defend you, we will love you and we will stand with you,” Trudeau said directly to those who profess the Muslim faith.

The prime minister also called on his colleagues to be the best version of themselves in the midst of such sadness.

“At times like these, our communities need our leadership,” he said. “It is in these moments we must show ourselves worthy of the honour of sitting in this place for them.”

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose comments on the Quebec City mosque shootings in the House of Commons on Jan. 30, 2017. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP)

Those sentiments were echoed by all party leaders who preached a message of unity.

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose told the House the terrorist attack strikes at the heart of a cherished Canadian freedom to worship without fear. It is also a sad reminder, she said, that Canada is not immune to such violence.

An attack on a place of worship, Ambrose said, “negates the principles on which Canada was founded.”

Ambrose said all leaders stand together to remember the victims.

“We have our differences but I know that no member of this House in any caucus would wish anything like this on anyone and under the banner of Canadian citizenship, we shall stand together,” she said.

'We’re in desperate need of love and solidarity'

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair also delivered a direct message to “our Muslim brothers and sisters,” many of whom are now feeling unsafe in their place of worship.

“We mourn with you. We pray with you. And we promise we will stand united and fight against the forces of hatred, bigotry and Islamophobia,” Mulcair said. “And against those who peddle the politics of fear and division.”

Interim Bloc Quebecois Leader Rhéal Fortin said that six people were assassinated because of their faith. Fortin spoke of an unhealthy climate of mistrust and intolerance.

“We’re in desperate need of love and solidarity,” he said.

Finally, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May suggested the attack was almost incomprehensible in a place like Canada. She also called on Canadians to reject intolerance and hatred.

"We will never let there be daylight between a Christian, a Jew, a Sikh, an atheist and a Muslim in this country.."
— Green Party Leader Elizabeth May

“Today we are all Muslims,” May said. “We stand with you and we will never let there be daylight between a Christian, a Jew, a Sikh, an atheist and a Muslim in this country.

“We are Canadians and we stand together in love.”

Trudeau has invited his fellow leaders to travel with him to Quebec City later Monday to attend a vigil for the victims.

Quebec City Mosque Shooting

• 6 Killed In Deadly Attack On Quebec City Mosque

• Canadian, World Leaders Condemn Attack

• Only 1 Suspect In Quebec Mosque Shooting: Police

• U.S. White Supremacist Trolls Canada Over Mosque Attack

• BLOG: As A Muslim Woman From Quebec, I Will Continue To Speak Up Against Hate

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CAMROSE, Alta. — An easy-going dude from Camrose, Alta., is racking up impressive views on Facebook with his good-natured rant against the young Edmonton police officer who gave him a $465 ticket for having a cracked driver's licence.

Dave Balay — or "Handsome Dave'' as the self-proclaimed motorcycle enthusiast fashions himself on Facebook — posted a video of his story Friday and by late evening had already had 453,000 people check in to hear his tale of woe.

Balay says he was driving home this week when two police cruisers pulled him over on an Edmonton freeway, apparently after they'd received a call saying he had swerved on the highway.

He says he thinks the officers suspected he was impaired. A police helicopter was even called in.

"All of a sudden, there's four policemen around me,'' he explains in his video, adding he had his seat belt on and had "no outstanding warrants" so thought everything would be fine.

In his version of events, he politely produced his licence and registration while the officers grilled him.

"'You been drinking?' No. "You on any drugs?' No, well, I won't mention Cialis to him," says Balay, referring to the erectile dysfunction medication. ''So they go and find out everything's all good."

But Balay says while one officer was his age — "he's cool'' — the other was a young guy who Balay implies had a bit of an attitude.

"I've probably got a sports jacket in my closet older than him,'' he cracks, adding he and the older officer briefly discussed the younger officer's apparent concern.

"'A mutilated licence! I didn't even know there was such a thing.'"

"Well, that's good he takes his job seriously," offers Balay. "That's awesome. I'm glad.''

Or at least it is until the officer tells Balay he's going to give him a ticket for having a mutilated driver's licence, all because the document has a small cut on the top corner.

"I say, 'a mutilated licence! I didn't even know there was such a thing.'"

Dave Balay shows the tear in the top corner of his driver's licence. (Photo: Dave Balay/Facebook)

At first, Balay says he wasn't that concerned, figuring "it's not going to be that much.'' But his attitude changed when he read the ticket and saw it was for $465.

"I'm not paying it,'' says Balay. "I'm going to go to the Crown prosecutor. He can either toss it out and I will get a new licence that doesn't have any crack on it, or I will go to jail for the weekend or however long it takes to pay off 465 bucks, or I'll do community service. Serve some soup or fold some clothes — whatever.

"But I'm not working. I don't have $465.''

Police service standing by the officer

Media attention to Balay's video even prompted the Edmonton police service to issue a statement standing by their officer.

"Because of the observations of the witness, the officer had grounds to lay a careless driving charge under the Traffic Safety Act, which carries a penalty of $543 and six demerits,'' says the release.

"Upon speaking with the driver, who was cooperative, the officer used his discretion to issue a lesser fine for a cracked driver's licence under the Traffic Safety Act Section 61.''

The Edmonton police service is standing behind an officer who handed driver Dave Balay a $465 ticket for a cracked licence. (Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The release says police won't comment further and it will be up to the Crown and the courts to determine if the charge was warranted.

As for Balay, he says things could have been handled differently.

"You know what, policeman? You could just give me a warning and say, 'I could give you a ticket for that.' I think a warning would have been fine,'' he says, ending his video with a big smile.

"Way to go, Constable Whatever-The-Heck-Your-Name-Is! Nicely done!"

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TORONTO — Ontario's securities regulator is warning investors about advertisements that use the image or likeness of Kevin O'Leary to promote "get rich'' schemes.

The Ontario Securities Commission says representatives for the businessman and Conservative leadership candidate confirm that he hasn't promoted or approved the use of his image in any ads or news stories involving binary options trading software and platforms.

The regulator says the binary options trading software and platforms in question include the Millionaire(s) Blueprint, Play it on Point, Eurostreet Money and Boss Capital.

kevin oleary fake ad

A screencap of an ad on the Play it on Point website, claiming Conservative leadership candidate kevin O'Leary endorses binary trading. The OSC says O'Leary did not approve the use of his image on these ads.

The Canadian Securities Administrators have expressed concerns about the rise in the number of websites promoting offshore binary options trading platforms targeting Canadians.

No business is registered or authorized to market or sell binary options in Canada.

Binary options trading involves people making investment decisions based on whether something specific will happen at a particular time.

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Celebs from all walks of life have been speaking out again President Donald Trump's latest executive order, which calls to ban refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. And model siblings Gigi and Bella Hadid were no exception.

Marching in New York's Battery Park on Sunday, the sisters, whose parents are both American immigrants, proudly held signs among a crowd of protesters that read, "We are all Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Atheists, Christians, Jews," with specific letters in bold to spell out "Humans."

Gigi and Bella Hadid at the #NoBanNoWall march in New York today. pic.twitter.com/atHh2AkIVe
— Gigi Hadid News (@GigiHadidsNews) January 30, 2017

The 20-something-year-old pair also sported "Love Trumps Hate" pins .

Mom Yolanda Hadid posted a photo of her daughters to Instagram on Sunday with the caption, "That's right, we are one..... Open to all religion, all races and all countries #America #LoveTrumpsHate #WeAreHuman."

❤That's right, we are one..... Open to all religion, all races and all countries #America #LoveTrumpsHate #WeAreAllHuman

A photo posted by YOLANDA (@yolanda.hadid) on Jan 29, 2017 at 3:49pm PST

Mohamed Hadid, the sisters' dad, who identifies as Muslim, was born in Israel and came to the U.S. as a teenager, W Magazine reports. But despite being an American citizen, the real estate tycoon has unfortunately experienced his fair share of xenophobia.

Gigi's boyfriend, former One Direction singer Zayn Malik, is also Muslim. So Trump's latest policy presumably hits very close to home for the Vogue It Girl in particular.

But this isn't the first time the 21-year-old has been vocal about Trump politics.

In response to the Women's March that took place after the current president's inauguration in January, the IMG model sent out a series of tweets in support of the worldwide rally.

So inspired by the incredible & unique humans in this world everyday.
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) January 22, 2017

Thank you for beautifully demonstrating how to put gender, race, religion aside & come TOGETHER for what is right. #WomansMarch
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) January 22, 2017

my biggest hope is that today inspires many more acts of togetherness and LOVE, to stand up for everyone ❤
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) January 22, 2017

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While Sunday's shooting at a Quebec City mosque was condemned by the prime minister as a "terrorist attack," police are still working to confirm a motive.

Six people are dead and 19 injured after gunfire erupted at the Islamic Cultural Centre as evening prayers were ending.

islamic cultural centre of quebec

Municipal police patrol the scene at a Quebec City mosque on Jan 30. (Photo: Andre Pichette/EPA via CP)

One suspect is in custody, while another man who was arrested is now considered a witness.

If an investigation confirms terrorism as a motivating factor in the attack, it would be the worst such violence on Canadian soil.

The last time terrorism-related acts caused such casualties on this scale was the era of the Front de libération du Québec, an extremist separatist group. It carried out dozens of attacks from 1963 to 1970, resulting in eight deaths, including Quebec deputy premier and cabinet minister Pierre Laporte.

flq bombing

A bomb exploded under the engine of the car on the left in a Montreal dairy parking lot, destroying four cars and shattering windows, power and telephone lines in a nearby military armory in Montreal on May 20, 1963. It was believed to be the work of the Front de liberation du Québec. (Photo: The Canadian Press/Montreal Gazette)

The FLQ's founders were inspired by other revolutionary movements in the world at the time. The group followed a Marxist-Leninist philosophy and believed in overthrowing the Quebec government as well as rebelling against English imperialism.

Its activities culminated in the October Crisis of 1970, when Laporte and British trade commissioner James Cross were kidnapped.

The hostage-takings led Pierre Trudeau's government to invoke the War Measures Act, which allowed it to limit civil liberties.

Sikh militants plot

The worst terrorist attack in Canadian history happened in Irish airspace when a bomb exploded on an Air India passenger jet in 1985. In total, 329 people — 268 of them Canadian citizens — were killed when the airliner crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

The flight originated in Vancouver, where Sikh militants planted a bomb.

A relative traces the name of a family member and victim of the 1985 Air India bombing after the unveiling ceremony of a memorial in Montreal in 2011. (Photo: Christinne Muschi/Reuters)

Three people died in 1984 after a bomb exploded in a locker in Montreal's main train station. Thomas Bernard Brigham, an American war veteran, was convicted of planting it.

More recently, two Canadian Forces members were killed in separate, unrelated terrorist attacks in 2014.

On Oct. 20 that year, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent died after Martin Couture-Rouleau rammed him with his car in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. Another soldier was injured. Police later shot and killed the suspect.

Two days later, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot and killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo while the soldier was on sentry duty at the the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The gunman then stormed into the Parliament building before being killed by authorities.

nathan cirillo patrice vincent

Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent were both killed in terrorist attacks in 2014. (Photo: Canadian Press)

There have also other attempts to commit terrorist acts in Canada, including an al-Qaeda-inspired plot in 2006 to attack several targets in Toronto and southern Ontario. Eighteen people were arrested in connection with that plot.

Last summer, terrorist sympathizer Aaron Driver was fatally shot by RCMP in Ontario after he made a video suggesting he planned to detonate a homemade bomb in an urban centre during rush hour.

In 1966, a bomb exploded in a washroom on Parliament Hill, killing the would-be bomber, Paul Chartier, according to CBC News. Chartier had planned to throw the bomb on the House of Commons floor.

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WASHINGTON — In the face of protests, lawsuits, internal grumbling, an international backlash and a partial climb-down, the Trump administration invoked Quebec City's mosque attack to defend its travel ban on seven majority-Muslim countries.

The controversial policy faced attacks on multiple fronts, capped late Monday by a surprise announcement: the acting attorney general appointed by former president Barack Obama questioned the order's legality, and announced she wouldn't defend it in court.

Amid that barrage, the White House mounted an unanticipated line of defence.

Press secretary Sean Spicer began his daily briefing with news that the president had offered Prime Minister Justin Trudeau his country's condolences, prayers and any law-enforcement help Canada might need.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer answers questions at the White House on Jan. 24, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Then came a political point — one that glossed over the fact that in the case of the Quebec mosque massacre, the victims were Muslims, and they were allegedly shot and killed by a reported fan of President Donald Trump.

"It's a terrible reminder of why we must remain vigilant. And why the president is taking steps to be proactive, not reactive,'' Spicer said Monday.

He later made clear he was, in fact, making the link to the executive order on travel, which specifically targets travel from primarily Muslim countries in the Middle East.

Asked about the executive order, he went back to his earlier remark: "As I said in the statement, the president is going to be very proactive in protecting this country. ... That's the key point in this — how do we get ahead of threats? How do we keep America ahead of the curve, when it comes to people who want to do us harm?''

airport protest muslim new york

Immigration activists stage a protest against President Donald Trump's ban on entry of citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries at JFK airport in New York on Saturday.

Trump's chat with Trudeau came after some Canadian fears were soothed over a chaotic weekend. With lawsuits flying, and protesters clogging airports, the U.S. government initially stated that the travel restrictions would apply to dual citizens.

That potentially included 35,000 Canadians with dual citizenship with the affected countries — some of whom may work, live and have families in the U.S. The U.S. government is now signalling that the policy would not apply to Canadian dual citizens.

It's not the only change. While the order would presumably still affect work visas, the government now says it won't apply to permanent U.S. residents with green cards. A third possible adjustment involves exemptions for individuals who worked for the U.S. military. Defence Secretary James Mattis is drawing up a list.

The changes come amid reports of behind-the-scenes tussling within Trump's team. Administration members fumed to friendly media Monday about the haphazard manner in which this major policy was designed, released and publicly communicated.

"Now this government's hand in hand with another fascist — Trump. And what I say... (is) do the decent thing and ban the visit.""

One talk-show host close to Trump, Joe Scarborough, said he spoke to the president over the weekend as well as senior aides. He said foreign-policy figures in Trump's administration felt blindsided by the announcement, and blamed younger political staff.

The former lawmaker and MSNBC host singled out the 31-year-old Stephen Miller, an immigration hawk, policy adviser and speechwriter who would warm up the crowds with speeches before Trump at campaign rallies.

The ripple effect spread to other continents.

Iraq politicians call for ban on American travellers

In Iraq, parliamentarians called for a reciprocal ban on American travellers. In the U.K., the government appeared to have received the same reassurances as Canada's that the ban wouldn't apply to British passport-holders with dual citizenship.

A U.K. petition gathered more than 1.5 million signatures calling for the cancellation of a planned Trump state visit. The petition said the visit would cause embarrassment to the Queen, and it has enough signatures to force a debate in Parliament.

Westminster parliamentarians weren't wasting any time debating the matter.

A veteran British Labour lawmaker compared the U.S. president to history's villains. Dennis Skinner recalled that as a child: "I hid underneath the stairs when two fascist dictators — Mussolini and Hitler — were raining bombs on towns and cities in Britain.

"Now this government's hand in hand with another fascist — Trump. And what I say... (is) do the decent thing and ban the visit. This man is not fit to walk in the footsteps of (past visitor) Nelson Mandela.''

The U.K. government brushed off the idea. In his reply, foreign minister Boris Johnson replied that Mussolini never bombed England. And he said the government wants a good relationship with Trump, in the national interest.

As for the villainous parallels drawn by his opponent, Johnson said: "I don't accept that comparison.''

trump protest

Senator Al Franken speaks at a protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Monday. (Photo: Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Canada's parliamentarians are scheduled to discuss the issue Tuesday night. The government says it has received assurances from Michael Flynn, Trump's national security adviser, that despite earlier statements from the U.S. government, Canadian citizens won't be affected.

The order faces uncertainty on other fronts. Acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates said late Monday that she doubted the executive order was lawful. The Obama appointee, who will be replaced once Trump's nominee gets confirmed, said in a letter: "For as long as I am the Acting Attorney General, the Department of Justice will not present arguments in defence of the Executive Order, unless and until I become convinced that it is appropriate to do so.''

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Before you watch this Danish television station ad, you'll want to grab a tissue. Go on...you're going to need it.

Ok. Do you have your tissue? Are you ready for this?

As TV2's video "All That We Share" opens, Danes file quietly onto a soundstage, stepping into outlined areas on the floor — areas meant to define them. "The High Earners" versus "Those Just Getting By." "Those We Trust" versus "Those We Try To Avoid." Lifelong Danes, versus those new to Denmark. Divisions you will find not just in Denmark, but in any country on Earth.

However, a man begins to ask questions:

"Who in this room was the class clown?"

"Who are stepparents?"

"How many of you love to dance?"

Quickly, the "Us versus Them" narrative falls apart. People begin to step out of their so-called defining boxes.

It's a heartwarming reminder that our perceived labels do not define us. If we look below the surface, we can find common ground with those we perceive as most different to ourselves.

The English-language version of "All That We Share" was posted to YouTube on Jan. 27 — marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as well as the day President Donald Trump released an executive order blocking citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for 90 days and halting the Syrian refugees program for four months.

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The U.S. may have shut its doors to travellers and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, but many Canadians want those stranded to know they are welcome.

Karim Kanji, a Toronto resident and the child of Ugandan refugees, took to Twitter to offer up his home to stranded travellers.

My offer still stands: Just heard of wife (Toronto) who can't get back home to her husband (California). #NoBanNoWall #WelcometoCanada https://t.co/OsfFJKscer
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) January 29, 2017

"The least I could do was tweet out that if anyone needs something, I'm here," he told CBC News.

Others were quick to chime in with offers to help.

Same here! If you're stranded in Toronto we will help. #openhome https://t.co/P7uwk625LD
— Monika Rola (@MonikaRola) January 29, 2017

We in opened homes to stranded on 9/11. Let's do it for green card holders who can't go to families due to Muslim ban,eh? #openhome pic.twitter.com/yD0KjYkzzN
— Sulemaan Ahmed (@sulemaan) January 28, 2017

Refugees who need roof and rest are most welcome. Being immigrant myself I know how you freel #openhome #nomuslimban #NoBanNoWall #Toronto
— Serge Ke (@Serge_Ke) January 30, 2017

Canada's Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said on Sunday that no travellers were stranded in Canadian airports, but some posted offers anyway, just in case. A group of Toronto university students set up a Facebook group, dedicated to providing accommodations for those that might need it in future.

And a Canadian immigration lawyer offered to help anyone affected by the ban who wants to come to Canada.

For next 90 days we'll be offering free immigration law consults to anyone affected by U.S. ban who wants to come to Canada #WelcomeToCanada
— Gordon S. Campbell (@gscLawFirm) January 29, 2017

Canadian dual citizens and permanent residents are exempt from the ban. The government has offered temporary residency to anyone in Canada impacted by Trump's order, an offer which premiers, mayors and other politicians echoed.

I came to Alberta, Canada as a Refugee & was welcomed & cared for, I became a Citizen & I am now a Cabinet Minister #WelcomeToCanada #ableg https://t.co/Za0sFj1o3W
— Ricardo Miranda (@_RicardoYYC) January 29, 2017

Sask has welcomed approx 2000 refugees this past year. We stand ready to assist fed gov't re: anyone stranded by the US ban.
— Brad Wall (@PremierBradWall) January 29, 2017

Unfortunately, for those refugees and travellers turned away at the U.S. border, it's not so easy as simply coming to Canada.

Refugees that come across via the "Safe Third Country Agreement" have to ask for protection in the first country they arrive in.

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EDMONTON — Bill Hodgetts doesn't want to be a party-pooper.

But the University of Alberta researcher has found that noise from bursting balloons can be unsafe for children's hearing.

The audiologist says popping a balloon next to someone's ear is as loud as firing a high-powered shotgun.

The finding is part of a study, co-authored by engineer Dylan Scott, recently published in Canadian Audiologist.

Long-term hearing loss

Hodgetts says kids typically find popping balloons irresistible, especially at birthday parties, but it may contribute to long-term hearing loss.

He hopes parents will come to consider hearing protection as important as putting sunscreen on their children before they go outside.

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QUEBEC — Details are emerging of some of the six victims of the Quebec City mosque attack on Sunday. Here is some information about them:

Ibrahima Barry: The father of four was a dedicated family man who was always with his children, said his friend, Moussa Sangare.

Barry, who immigrated to Canada from Guinea, worked in information technology at the health insurance board of Quebec. He supported his immediate and extended family, both in Canada and in Africa.

Barry and Mamadou Tanou Barry, another victim of Sunday's shooting, came from the same village in Africa and knew each other before immigrating to Canada, Sangare said in French in an interview.

quebec city mosque shooting

People light candles and lay flowers at a vigil in Moncton, N.B. on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017 in honour of victims of the mass shooting at a Quebec City mosque. (Photo: Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)

He said the pair spent a lot of time together and were always smiling and cheerful.

"They were so kind. They worked and practised their faith,'' he said, adding that the community can't make sense of their deaths.

"They were people who were well integrated in Quebec. They had good work, they took care of their kids and their family.''

The two men were cousins, but seemed more like brothers, he said.

_ _ _

Mamadou Tanou Barry: Sangare said that his friend's death "decimated'' not one but two families.

"Tanou lost his father three years ago, so it became his responsibility to support not only his family here but also his family in Africa,'' Sangare said. "Now that's all been cut.''

Sangare said he spent Saturday morning with both Barrys in the same mosque where the shooting took place, attending a Qur'an reading with their children. After the service they watched their children play together, he recalled.

"Tanou lost his father three years ago, so it became his responsibility to support not only his family here but also his family in Africa ... Now that's all been cut.''

Barry leaves behind two boys, both of whom were born in Canada following their father's emigration from Guinea, Sangare said.

The Guinean government posted a statement on its website following the shooting.

"In this painful circumstance, the government of Guinea expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the Canadian government, the families of the disappeared, and the entire nation,'' it said.

"Guinean representatives in Canada are actively engaged in meeting the families of our compatriots and expressing the support of the nation as a whole.''

_ _ _

Azzeddine Soufiane: The father of three was a grocer and butcher. Local imam Karim Elabed described him in an interview as an important member of the community — a longtime Quebec City resident who often helped guide newcomers to the provincial capital.

"Mr. Soufiane was someone who was well known in Quebec because he opened one of the first community businesses here,'' said Elabed, an imam at a mosque in nearby Levis.

"Myself, when I arrived here eight years ago, (his shop) was the first place I learned about and pretty much all of Quebec's muslims did their groceries there.''

Ali Ouldache, who arrived in 2007, said Soufiane, 57, was the first person he spoke to when he arrived from France, a little bit lost in his new surroundings.

quebec city mosque shooting

People attend a vigil for victims of a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City on Sunday, at the Grand Parade in Halifax on Monday. (Photo: Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

"It (his store) was really my refuge and we became friends after that,'' Ouldache said. "He was a father to everyone, a brother to everyone — very tolerant, very respectful.''

Ouldache said Soufiane was really someone who really loved Quebec — a true Quebecois, who'd called the province home for 30 years.

"He was really likable and generous,'' Ouldache said. "It's a tragedy the way he died.''

_ _ _

Khaled Belkacemi: Universite Laval confirmed Monday that Belkacemi, 60, was one of their own and a professor in the food science department.

"Our university community is in mourning today,'' rector Denis Briere said in a statement. "We mourn the death of an esteemed member of the faculty and the university, a devoted and beloved man of his colleagues and students.''

Khaled Belkacemi has been named as one of the victims of a terrorist who killed six worshippers at a mosque in Quebec City on Sunday. (Photo: Université Laval)

On his Facebook page, Belkacemi's son, Amir, said his father was loved by all:

"My father, a good man, an example of resilience, a man loved by all, a professor and researcher emeritus, a fighter, a man who left his country (Algeria) to give his family a chance to live far away from horror.''

Mohamed Labidi, vice-president at the mosque where the attack took place, said Belkacemi was a good friend.

"He was a kind person, someone who was appreciated by everyone."

"He wouldn't have hurt anyone,'' Labidi said. "He was so kind and gentle.''

Retired Universite Laval professor Hani Antoun described Belkacemi as a valued colleague and respected scientist.

He said Belkacemi was married to another professor in the department and had three children.

"He was a kind person, someone who was appreciated by everyone,'' Antoun said. "He was a renowned scientist who was very well known. It's an enormous loss.''

_ _ _

Abdelkrim Hassane: Another father of three who was identified by friend Ali Hamadi. Hamadi said he left the mosque a few minutes before the shooting and that Hassane, 41, was killed.

Hamadi said Hassane worked in information technology for the government and that he was a father with three daughters and a wife.

_ _ _

With files from Associated Press

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A day after six Muslims were gunned down at a Quebec City mosque, a Conservative leadership hopeful has come out swinging against politicians who "normalize hate."

"This mosque attack is no accident," wrote Michael Chong in a tweet Monday evening, referring to the deadly assault on the Centre culturel islamique de Quebec on Sunday.

"It's a direct result of demagogues and wannabe demagogues playing to fears and prejudices."

This mosque attack is no accident: It's a direct result of demagogues and wannabe demagogues playing to fears and prejudices 1/3
— Michael Chong (@MichaelChongMP) January 30, 2017

On Facebook, the Tory MP posted a statement defending Canada's immigration and refugee screening processes and blasted politicians "espousing" divisive and hateful policies.

And though he does not name names in his tweets or his Facebook post, Chong has in the past criticized the proposed immigration policies of fellow leadership candidate Kellie Leitch, who has suggested screening immigrants and refugees for "anti-Canadian values."

Chong's comments also come after a chaotic weekend of uncertainty and fear brought forth by U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial travel ban.

Conservative leadership candidate Michael Chong said on Twitter it's time to say "enough" to politicians who "normalize hate." (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Trump issued a 90-day ban on travellers from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. He also suspended the admission of all refugees for 120 days and indefinitely barred those from Syria.

"The politicians espousing these policies may do it in a genteel fashion that sounds acceptable, but check out the comments on their social media platforms and you will find cesspools of hate," Chong wrote on Facebook.

Politicians talking division, not unity, help normalize hate. Not acceptable, enough is enough, stop 2/3
— Michael Chong (@MichaelChongMP) January 30, 2017

"In fact, one candidate for leadership of the Conservative Party has now been endorsed by two white supremacist organizations," he added, referring to Leitch.

In a December leadership debate, Chong accused the former cabinet minister of race-baiting.

"It's time to say, 'enough'. Playing footsie with hate is anathema to Canadians' values. It is dangerous, it is cynical and we need to root it out," Chong wrote on Facebook.

And yes, I'm angry. This is Canada. This was an attack on real Canadian values enshrined in the Charter: religious freedom 3/3
— Michael Chong (@MichaelChongMP) January 30, 2017

Chong wasn't the only Tory leadership candidate to rail against divisive politics and inflammatory rhetoric on Monday.

Fellow contender Deepak Obhrai was asked if Donald Trump's presidency had created any security issues in Canada, and whether the Conservative party had any role in heightening anti-Islamic sentiment in Canada.

"I think all of us have to be a little more careful in what we say and how we say. And that we don't give fuel to community-based politics. We don't give fuel to that divisiveness," Obhrai told reporters on Parliament Hill.

Later, interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose spoke in the House to offer her condolences to the families of the attack's victims, as well as warn against the "terrible motivations" of hatred and ignorance.

Ambrose said the attack on the Quebec City mosque is a "sad reminder" Canada is not immune to terrorism.

"An attack against a place of worship, against people praying in a mosque is an attack on these very freedoms," she said. "It negates the principles on which Canada was founded."

With files from Catherine Levesque, The Associated Press and The Canadian Press

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Deadly Shooting At Quebec City Mosque Erupts After Evening Prayers

Quebec City Mosque Attack: World Leaders Condemn 'Odious Attack'

Alexandre Bissonnette, Mohamed Khadir Identified As Quebec Mosque Shooting Suspects: Reports

Barb From 'Stranger Things' Is Almost Unrecognizable At SAG Awards

Richard Spencer, White Supremacist, Trolls Trudeau Over Quebec City Attacks

Five-Year-Old Boy Detained At Airport For Hours Due To Trump Ban

Ivanka Trump Shows Off Pretty Dress On Instagram While U.S. Protests

Trudeau Tells Canadian Muslims: 'We Will Love You And We Will Stand With You'

Cracked Licence Netted Camrose, Alta. Man A $465 Ticket

Regulator Warns Of 'Get Rich' Schemes Using O'Leary's Likeness

Gigi And Bella Hadid March At Anti-Muslim Ban Protest In New York City

Quebec City Shooting Could Be Worst Terrorist Attack On Canadian Soil

Sean Spicer Uses Quebec Mosque Shooting To Defend Trump's Controversial Ban

This Danish TV Ad Is What The World Needs To Remember Now More Than Ever

Canadians Offer Their Homes To Travellers After Trump's Ban

Popping A Balloon Can As Loud As A Shotgun Blast: Study

Quebec Mosque Shooting Victims Identified

Michael Chong: Time To Say 'Enough' To Politicians Who 'Normalize Hate'