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Thanks to everyone for their words of support this evening, including the #WeStandWithDrHirji tag. I’m deeply humbled by the volume & breadth of support. More importantly, I’m gratified that so many are speaking up against violent language—such discourse corrodes our unity. 1/6
The excessive anger of a few today should not distract from the suffering of many during this pandemic—of social isolation, of loss of income, of losing a business built through a life’s work. Frustration is understandable. Their tragedies aren’t receiving the attention I am. 2/6
The inequalities of our society have been amplified by the pandemic. We have much to do to create true equality & unity. I hope we can increasingly focus on rectifying this, & continue to reduce inequities after the pandemic is over. 3/6
Some accuse @samoosterhoff of inciting today. I disagree. I don’t read his tweet as criticism. All pandemic, he has always supported @NRPublicHealth as have all our MPPs ( @Wayne_Gates @JennieStevens_ @JeffBurch_). Let’s not turn today into a political attack on @fordnation. 4/6
Likewise, let’s not reject those who oppose my position because a few went too far. Civil debate on how best to manage the pandemic is necessary—to improve our response, but also to build shared understanding of the chosen approach. We can be calm & civil, but still disagree. 5/6
#InThisTogether has been a slogan of the pandemic. I hope we can all return to that ethos. Violent threats, political attacks, denigrating those who disagree splinters us rather than unifies us. Let’s listen more, understand each other, & come together through dialogue. 6/6
