Ontario's Solicitor General is calling for immediate and decisive action from Toronto's police leadership to address a wave of disruptive and hate-motivated protests targeting the city's Jewish community.
Urgent Call for Enforcement
In a letter sent on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner directly addressed Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and Police Services Board Chair Shelley Carrol. Kerzner, who also serves as the MPP for York Centre, urged them to begin taking the escalating problem seriously.
"I am writing to you both once again with urgency to underscore the need for firm, consistent and visible enforcement of hate, intimidation and harassment-motivated offences by the Toronto Police Service," the letter stated. A copy of the correspondence was obtained by the Toronto Sun.
The minister pointed to specific recent incidents, including mob intimidation at the Eaton Centre during the Boxing Day shopping period and ongoing, intimidating marches through residential neighbourhoods near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue. He described these actions as "completely unacceptable."
A Pattern of Escalation and Inaction
Kerzner referenced a previous letter sent on December 11, in which he had already highlighted his office's efforts to combat hate-motivated crime. His latest communication expresses a grave concern that the situation is deteriorating, leaving residents in "a state of heightened fear and anxiety."
The letter warns of the broader consequences of police inaction: "When such incidents occur repeatedly and without visible consequences, it substantially undermines public confidence in the rule of law and in the institutions responsible for upholding it."
This official demand follows a similar plea made just two weeks earlier by Conservative MP Roman Baber. In his letter to Mayor Olivia Chow and Chief Demkiw, Baber insisted that Toronto Police Service (TPS) must stop tolerating hate and begin enforcing the law, specifically citing weekly protests meant to "intimidate and antagonize" residents.
Nearly 800 Protests and Growing Boldness
According to Toronto Police data, the city has endured close to 800 protests, rallies, and demonstrations since the Hamas terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. In the immediate aftermath of those attacks, far-left and Islamist activists in Toronto embarked on a sustained campaign that has included targeting Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues, community centres, and schools.
Kerzner's letter emphasizes that, with provincial training, enforcement tools, and legislative resources already in place, local enforcement is now critical. "The responsibility now rests with police leadership to ensure that existing authorities to act are used promptly and decisively when criminal acts of hate and intimidation are taking place," he wrote.
The perceived lack of consequences has seemingly emboldened protesters. A prime example was the Boxing Day disruption at the Eaton Centre, where dozens of activists stormed the mall, unfurled banners, used megaphones, and intimidated shoppers while calling for Israel's destruction—all reportedly without intervention.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has echoed the government's concerns. In a statement, CIJA's Josh Landau warned, "We are living in an environment that has continuously permitted hate and calls for violence to spread without consequences," which emboldens extremists. The group has also called on TPS to maintain peace and enforce the law as anti-Israel radicals threaten to disrupt New Year's Eve celebrations.
Scrutiny on Police Conduct
Toronto Police have faced intense scrutiny over their handling of these protests. In one notorious incident in January 2024, a uniformed officer was photographed delivering coffee to activists illegally occupying an overpass on Highway 401.
Furthermore, in March 2025, an official TPS podcast hosted by two uniformed Muslim liaison officers was deleted after it surfaced. In the episode, the officers reportedly praised the October 7 attacks for leading to a surge in converts to Islam and implied that criticism of anti-Israel rallies equated to Islamophobia.
Experts, including former diplomats and terrorism analysts, have warned that Canada's tolerance of such anti-Jewish hatred risks leading the country toward an antisemitic terror attack. They point to events like the recent Bondi Beach massacre as a grim potential consequence of unchecked extremism.
The Toronto Police Services Board, which is responsible for holding the police chief accountable, and the police service itself have been contacted for comment regarding the Solicitor General's demands.
