Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“We were all sickened to hear that the Taliban gunned down more than 120 people, most of them children, in Peshawar today. Canada unequivocally condemns this heinous act.

“There is no more cowardly act than attacking innocent children and nothing more sinister than brutally murdering them while at school.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those affected, and we wish a full and quick recovery to those injured.

“On October 9, 2012, the Taliban attempted to silence one girl who dared to confront them and to stifle her future. They failed miserably.

“In the moments that follow such harrowing tragedy, we hope that the resolve and the dignity of innocent Pakistani people will see more children like Malala Yousafzai emerge to carry the torch forward for more education, free from violence or intimidation. Canada will stand by them and support them in the face of this ongoing terrorist threat.”

src:news.gc.ca