Liberal MP calls church burnings ‘conspiracy theories’ despite local arsons

A Liberal MP is facing criticism after dismissing a wave of church burnings and acts of vandalism as “conspiracy theories,” despite numerous church arsons, including some near his local riding.

A Liberal MP is facing criticism after dismissing a wave of church burnings and acts of vandalism as “conspiracy theories,” despite numerous church arsons, including some near his local riding in Hamilton.

During debate in the House of Commons on proposed hate-crime legislation, Liberal MP John-Paul Danko (Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas) accused Conservatives of “repeating conspiracy theories” rather than addressing “real hate crimes.”

“If we want to talk about real hate crimes, and I’m not quoting, you know, alt-right, so-called alternative news, I’m talking about Jewish members in my community who are covering their Jewish identity in public, that is the hate that we’re talking about, that this bill seeks to address.”

Danko’s response was in relation to True North’s church arson incident map hosted on Juno News which has catalogued 123 instances of arson or vandalism since 2021.

Conservative MP Andrew Lawton responded on X, calling the attacks “real hate,” and highlighted dozens of firebombings and acts of vandalism against churches and synagogues since 2021.

He accused Liberals of downplaying anti-Christian and antisemitic violence while “cozying up with those responsible for Jew-hatred in this country.”

The two continued the exchange on X, where Danko reposted a clip of the exchange accusing the Conservative party of keeping the base angry and “say and do anything to divide Canadians.”

Independent data reviewed by True North shows that at least 123 Christian churches across Canada have been burned, defaced, or vandalized since 2021.

Among the cases are two in Hamilton: a 2022 firebombing at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, where incendiary devices were found at the entrance, and a 2023 blaze at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, which local authorities investigated as suspicious.

One arrest has been made in Hamilton in connection with the firebombing at St. Paul’s Presbyterian church.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has described the church arsons as “terrorist attacks,” arguing that Christians are now the country’s most targeted faith group.

True North reached out to Danko’s office for comment but did not receive a response in time.