Jean Vouillon teaches multimedia at St. Boniface University. He’s lived in Winnipeg for the last 10 years, but grew up in France. When he heard of the attack at a satirical Parisian magazine Charlie Hebdo Wednesday, he says he was devastated.
“"I grew up looking at cartoons from Cabut and Wolinski,” he said.
Two well-known cartoonists were killed along with 10 others, including the magazine’s editor-in-chief.
"For me it's like it was members of my family, so I'm really devastated by by this news,” said Vouillon.
Claire Lombard moved to Canada from France in late August.
"I know people are frustrated in France and need to say what they feel and it's the only way they find.”
Lombard said she’s worried this is part of a deeper problem, one that could spark even further conflict in France.
"I'm worried because the war is coming. I hope not, but I think the war is coming,” she said.
It's a threat ethics professor Arthur Schafer says is real, but avoidable.
"If French citizens turn against each other based on race or ethnicity or religion that would be a victory for the terrorists," said Schafer.
A small vigil was held outside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Wednesday night in Winnipeg.
