Trudeau condemns attack on Syrian refugees at ‘welcome night’

VANCOUVER— The pepper-spraying of Syrian refugees in Vancouver has prompted sweeping condemnation, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying it doesn’t represent Canada’s attitude toward migrants.

Vancouver police are investigating the Friday night incident as a hate crime. Police said a large group was gathered outside a Muslim Association of Canada Centre during a “welcome night” for newly arrived Syrian refugees when a man on a bicycle sprayed the crowd.

About15 people, including children, were treated for exposure to the spray, police said. “This isn’t who we are — and doesn’t reflect the warm welcome Canadians have offered,” Trudeau posted to Twitter on Saturday.

Nawal Addo, a 16-year-old of Syrian background who grew up in Canada, said she was standing outside with the refugees, who were waiting for a bus back to their hotel following the social event, when suddenly everyone began to cough and feel their eyes burning.

“We saw people coming out from the building and they were in worse condition than us,” she said. “Their eyes were really puffed up. They weren’t able to open their eyes.”

She said it appeared the fumes had gotten inside the entrance, where it affected people more powerfully in the enclosed space. Some were vomiting and one victim was a 2-year-old girl, Addo said.

Vancouver police Chief Const. Adam Palmer said a number of sections within the department were assisting with the investigation, including a hate crimes detective and a Muslim liaison officer.

He said the suspect on the bicycle was wearing a white or grey hooded sweatshirt and had a slim build. Police canvassed the area for video and physical evidence, and interviewing witnesses and victims.

“It’s a very troubling situation and the actions of one man have shed a negative light on a lot of the positive work that’s been done to welcome the Syrian refugees into our communities,” Palmer said.

“We’re going to put the necessary resources into this investigation, to identify the suspect, solve the crime and make sure we assist the victims in this troubling incident.” The government has committed to welcoming 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of next month. Thousands have already arrived.