Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a significant speech at Holy Blossom Temple synagogue in Toronto on Monday, June 1, 2026, addressing the surge of antisemitism in Canada. The speech, which Carney wrote himself, cited the Hebrew prophet Amos and referenced Aristotle and philosopher Charles Taylor, emphasizing the need to uphold Canada's covenant with Jewish Canadians.
Rising Antisemitism in Canada
Antisemitism has become a growing concern in Canada, with the country being labeled as one of the centres of antisemitism globally by Israel's ambassador. According to B'nai Brith, there were at least 6,800 antisemitic incidents in 2025, an increase of nearly 150% since 2022. These incidents include shootings at Jewish schools, firebombings of synagogues, and planned mass casualty events targeting Jews.
Carney's Speech: Words or Action?
In his speech, Carney acknowledged that Canada's civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians and outlined a list of government actions, including adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism in 2019. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient and that Carney must follow up with concrete actions to combat Jew hatred effectively.
Warren Kinsella, author of the bestselling book The Hidden Hand, emphasizes that while Carney's words were stirring, the world will be watching to see if meaningful action follows. Kinsella notes that antisemitism has surged to levels not seen since the post-war period, with over two-thirds of religion-motivated hate crimes directed at Jewish Canadians, who make up only 1% of the population.
What Comes Next Matters
Carney's speech touched on all the right points, but the true test lies in what he does next. The prime minister should not fool himself into thinking that simply acknowledging the problem is enough. Concrete steps, such as those outlined in Kinsella's book, are needed to address the scourge of antisemitism in Canada.
As life continues in places like Tel Aviv's Carmel shuk, where a T-shirt seller noted that his best friend in Vancouver reports many antisemites in Canada, the world waits to see if Carney's words will translate into action. The time for talk is over; the time for action is now.
