Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered an eloquent speech at a Toronto synagogue on Monday, acknowledging Canada's failure to combat an unprecedented surge in antisemitism. However, eloquent words alone will not halt the rising tide of Jew hatred across the country.
New Advisory Council Announced
Carney announced the creation of a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion, chaired by Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller, tasked with combating racism and hate in all forms. Yet this initiative offers little concrete action.
The government's flagship Combatting Hatred Act, described as the centrepiece of public safety legislation, has not yet received royal assent. Meanwhile, since Hamas launched its terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents have escalated dramatically.
Alarming Statistics
In the past year, two-thirds of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Canada targeted Jews, who comprise just one percent of the population. Jewish day schools have been shot at, as if children bear responsibility for Israeli government policies.
Carney's claim that his government is building a country where Jewish Canadians can be visibly and joyfully Jewish in public life is factually absurd given the current climate.
Turning a Blind Eye
Since October 7, 2023, governments, courts, universities, public sector unions, and civil society have largely ignored the antisemitic rhetoric that equates anti-Zionism with legitimate criticism of Israel. This inaction has emboldened those who harass and blame Jewish Canadians for Middle East conflicts.
Carney should confront antisemites within his own party, whose biased vilification of Israel encourages violence against Jews in Canada. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on Carney to apologize to Jewish Canadians for federal policies that have allowed terrorists and antisemites into the country through open borders, and for soft-on-crime policies that release violent offenders back into communities.
The time for speeches has passed; concrete action is urgently needed to protect Jewish Canadians.
