Politics

Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s Montreal office vandalized overnight

Montreal police are investigating after a building housing the office of federal MP Marc Miller was vandalized in the Sud-Ouest borough.

Police were called Thursday morning after a passerby noticed smashed windows and pink paint sprayed across the front of the building.

The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) says the vandalism happened Wednesday night and that it could be linked to the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that took place at the building, located on Saint-Jacques Street, near Atwater Avenue, earlier this week.

They say all vandalism, including property damage in the office, was committed from outside. Vandals wrote “Marc Miller, child killer,” on the building and sidewalk.

Miller’s office has regularly seen protests outside in recent months. Pro-Palestinian protesters have been criticizing the federal government for not doing enough to bring in family members of Canadian Palestinians who are currently trapped in Gaza.

Marc Miller’s constituency office is located near the intersection of St-Jacques Street and Atwater Avenue, in the Sud-Ouest borough. (Simon-Marc Charron/Radio-Canada)

The Liberal MP and immigration minister confirmed the vandalism in a post on X Thursday, saying it was “a criminal act, which I absolutely condemn.”

“My teams are safe, they were not injured. That’s what matters most,” Miller wrote.

Federal Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrrada, who is also the minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebec, said in a statement Thursday that violence has no place in politics.

“My heart goes out to my colleague Marc Miller, as well as the employees in his office, who had to face this situation today,” she said. “More than ever, we must work to ensure that our democracy remains a safe space where everyone can engage respectfully.” 

Black and pink paint sprayed on office walls
Police say all vandalism, including property damage in the office, was committed from outside. (Gabrielle Proulx/Radio-Canada)

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters on Thursday the vandalism was “totally unacceptable” and that people have “many opportunities to express themselves,” be it through voting or social media. 

“Nobody should ever need to use violence or threats or insults against people with whom they do not agree,” Blanchet said. “I can only condemn that with all my heart and tell Mr. Miller that this time we are with him.”

A spokesperson for police said they have not made arrests or identified suspects yet in connection with the incident.  

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