The rise in antisemitism in Canada has become a significant concern in recent years, marked by a series of disturbing incidents and growing public awareness. This trend mirrors a global increase in antisemitic attitudes and actions, which has been particularly pronounced in the wake of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged a "scary rise" in antisemitism in Canada, particularly following the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Reports of a possible hate crime at a Jewish high school in Toronto, fears of attacks at synagogues, and heated online rhetoric have been cited as examples of this troubling trend. In response, police in Toronto have increased patrols in Jewish cultural centers and synagogues, as well as Muslim mosques and other places of worship.
Specific incidents have heightened concerns within the Jewish community. In Montreal, bullets were fired at two Jewish schools amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, causing significant anxiety among parents and community members. This incident followed attempted firebombings at a Jewish community center and synagogue and came shortly after a local Muslim religious leader publicly called for the eradication of "Zionists". Eta Yudin, vice president for Quebec at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, emphasized the seriousness of these events, stating that "words lead to action" and that these incidents represent a worrying escalation in violence against the Jewish community.
The Canadian government has implemented several initiatives to combat this rise in antisemitism. Canada has been a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) since 2009, an organization devoted to combating antisemitism and promoting Holocaust education, remembrance, and research. In 2019, Canada adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism as part of its Anti-Racism Strategy, committing close to $100 million to support community organizations addressing issues of anti-racism and multiculturalism. The government has also named Irwin Cotler as Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, with a focus on strengthening Canada’s implementation of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Efforts to increase public awareness and enhance community security include the National Summit on Antisemitism convened in July 2021, which aimed to identify ways to work together to combat misinformation, online hate, and antisemitism. Additionally, the government has invested in the construction of a new Holocaust Museum in Montreal and other initiatives to support Jewish communities and Holocaust education.
The Anti-Racism Strategy also includes funding programs aimed at addressing barriers to employment, justice, and social participation for religious minorities, and prioritizes projects that target online hate or
paladinrisksolutions.com promote digital literacy. Public Safety Canada has been supported with funding to address hate crimes and hate speech, focusing on areas such as reporting, training, education, and public awareness.
These initiatives represent a multifaceted approach to combating antisemitism in Canada, encompassing education, public awareness, community support, and policy implementation. While the challenges are significant, these efforts indicate a commitment to addressing and mitigating the trend of rising antisemitism in the country.