A nationalist Quebec group that opposes immigration and Islam is outraged that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau disparaged them at an event marking the anniversary of last year’s Quebec City mosque shooting.
Trudeau, speaking Monday at a memorial service, referred to the members of La Meute — or “The Pack” — as “nonos,” a French word loosely translated as “dumdums.” A former leader of the group shot back Tuesday, calling Trudeau an “asshole.”
Trudeau spoke of these “racists … these ‘nonos’ who wear dog paws on their T-shirts,” apparently referring to the logo worn by La Meute supporters.
In a Facebook posting, the group’s former leader asked who the real “nono” was.
Sylvain Brouillette said the prime minister was trying to make “revolting connections” between his group and the person responsible for the mosque shooting that left six people dead more than a year ago. Police charged Alexandre Bissonnette with six counts of first-degree murder. His trial is scheduled to begin in late March.
“The person who makes associations and revolting connections between la Meute and the drama of Grande Mosquée de Québec is not only a nono, but an asshole,” Brouillette wrote.
Brouillette also noted that Trudeau met with former Haqqani hostage Joshua Boyle over Christmas.
Boyle has since faced 19 criminal charges, including sexual assault and assault with a weapon.
Trudeau reiterated his assessment of La Meute on Tuesday, saying that he had no intention of apologizing or amending his words.