As you may have seen in media reports, Metropolitan was targeted this past weekend by an act of vandalism that the Toronto police have designated a hate-motivated incident. Divisional investigators are working in consultation with the Toronto Hate Crime Unit and have promised an increase in uniform police patrols of the area.
 
Sadly, these acts have grown in frequency over the past years, with our building a regular target. Metropolitan takes action to quickly remove all graffiti, at considerable expense to the church.
 
Above all, Metropolitan stands as an affirming church in downtown Toronto with a long history of support for the LGBTQ community. Likewise, Jesus’ teaching to “love your neighbour” is our driving mission and we are therefore dedicated to standing up to anti-Semitism and all forms of hate.

Thank you to our custodial staff for their tireless work in removing this most recent graffiti as quickly as possible. 

You can view the Global News Toronto 6pm segment here.

The United Church of Canada has issued a statement. We are also grateful to have received letters of support from Richard Bott, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, which you can read here, and from Shining Waters Regional Council.