Montreal police are investigating a disturbing incident of hate after a large swastika was discovered traced in the snow on the front lawn of a Jewish physician's home. The city's hate crimes unit has taken charge of the case, which was reported on the evening of December 18, 2025.
Details of the Disturbing Discovery
According to police spokesperson Johany Charland, a 911 call was received at 7:30 p.m. on December 18. Officers responded to the residence in the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough and met with the physician's spouse, who had made the call. The spouse, who is also Jewish, arrived home that early evening to find the hate symbol clearly outlined by footprints in the snow.
"Someone had carved this disgusting swastika in my front yard," the resident said. The couple, who are physicians, have requested anonymity for safety reasons. The spouse expressed deep personal distress, noting, "My grandfather fought the Nazis in Europe. For someone who is Jewish to see a swastika is not good energy."
Community Reaction and Broader Context of Rising Hate
The incident has shaken not only the targeted family but also their neighbours. "You don’t know if someone did it to target you or if it was random," the spouse acknowledged, suggesting it could be the work of "some teenager with an empty brain." However, they emphasized the serious nature of the act: "Anyone who sees it should be very concerned. A neighbour of mine who is not Jewish was concerned."
Dr. Lior Bibas, a Montreal cardiologist and president of the Association des médecins Juifs du Québec (AMJQ), reached out to the couple in solidarity. "They were a bit shaken that this happened," he reported. The AMJQ, formed after the October 7, 2023, attacks, has seen its membership grow to about 550 as it supports Jewish medical professionals and combats perceived antisemitism within the healthcare network.
This act of vandalism occurs against a backdrop of sharply rising antisemitism across Canada. B’nai Brith Canada's latest annual audit warns that antisemitism has reached "perilous, record-setting heights," with a significant spike following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the subsequent war. The advocacy group recorded a proliferation of incidents including harassment, graffiti, and intimidation targeting Jewish institutions and individuals.
Ongoing Investigation and Calls for Action
The Montreal police hate crimes unit is actively investigating. Authorities are searching for surveillance camera footage, interviewing neighbours, and seeking potential witnesses. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) confirmed it is aware of the incident and that its community security partners are supporting the affected family.
Eta Yudin, CIJA's senior vice-president for Quebec, connected this event to a wider pattern. "Here and around the world, chants of hate and incitement against Jews have gone unchecked as we have seen antisemitic incidents rise to an all-time high over the last two years," Yudin stated. She called for concrete action against hate, vowing to work with police and government to ensure accountability.
The incident is a stark reminder of the enduring power of the swastika as a symbol of Nazi hatred and antisemitism, despite its ancient origins in other cultures. As the investigation continues, the Montreal Jewish community and its allies are left confronting a visible manifestation of the bigotry that reports indicate is on the rise both in Quebec and across the nation.
