| 2021 Canadian church fires | |
|---|---|
 Charred remains of Sacred Heart Mission, Penticton | |
| Location | British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Date | 21 June – 8 July 2021 |
| Target | Catholic, Anglican, and Coptic Orthodox churches buildings |
Attack type | Arson, vandalism |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 0 |
| Perpetrators | Several |
| Motive | Unknown, suspected response to the May 2021 discovery of probable Canadian Indian residential school gravesites[1][2] |
| Convicted | Kathleen Panek (14 July St. George Coptic church fire)[3] |
A series of vandalizations, church arsons, and suspicious fires in June and July 2021 desecrated, damaged, or destroyed 68 Christian churches in Canada. Coincident with fires, vandalism and other destructive events damaged churches in Canada and the United States, primarily in British Columbia.[4] Of these, 25 were the results of fires of all causes. Canadian government officials, church members, and Canadian First Nations leaders have speculated that the fires and other acts of vandalism have been reactions to the reported discovery of unmarked graves at Canadian Indian residential school sites in May 2021.
An investigation released by CBC News in January 2024 identified at least 24 arsons at Christian churches in Canada after May 2021. Of the arsons, nine resulted in arrests, with law enforcement not identifying a motive in incidents resulting in criminal charges. The investigation identified a relationship between the arsons and increased reporting on the gravesites.[5]
- ^ Ho, Solarina (5 July 2021). "'Not in solidarity with us': Indigenous leaders call for church arsons to stop". CTV News. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Woman who set fire to Surrey, B.C. church sentenced to 4 years in prison". 8 April 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ Takeuchi, Craig (30 August 2021). "Female suspect arrested and charged for fire that destroyed Surrey church". The Georgia Straight. Vancouver. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ Dzsurdzsa, Cosmin (23 August 2021). "A Map of Every Church Burnt or Vandalized Since the Residential School Announcments". tnc.news. True North Centre for Public Policy.
- ^ Reith, Terry (January 10, 2024). "At least 33 Canadian churches have burned to the ground since May 2021. So far, 24 are confirmed arsons". CBC News. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
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