One year after Mark Carney's Liberals won a minority government, a new report from B'nai Brith reveals a staggering rise in antisemitic incidents across Canada. The human rights organization's annual audit, released this week, documents at least 6,800 antisemitic incidents in 2025, a nearly 150% increase since 2022. The report covers harassment, vandalism, and violence, noting that many incidents go unreported due to fear of backlash or lack of police action.
Ontario Leads in Antisemitic Incidents
Ontario recorded the highest number of incidents at 3,194, followed by British Columbia with 847, Alberta with 677, Saskatchewan and Manitoba combined with 841, Atlantic Canada with 384, and Quebec with 573. The audit highlights that antisemitism has worsened significantly since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, with online platforms becoming the primary arena for hate speech.
Targeting Jewish Institutions and Children
The report includes disturbing images of graffiti such as "JEWS ARE EVIL" and "KILL A RABBI," as well as swastikas and anti-Zionist slogans. Zionist symbols have been increasingly demonized, with candidates' posters defaced during the 2025 federal election. Jewish schools have also been targeted; a campaign by "Just Peace Advocates" called for defunding schools for Jewish children, prompting a joint statement from Jewish groups decrying "a coordinated campaign to erase Jewish life in Canada."
Critics argue that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has failed to address the crisis. Despite Carney's approval ratings hovering around 54-60%, the B'nai Brith audit underscores a growing sense of insecurity among Canadian Jews. The report concludes that current measures are insufficient, and urgent action is needed to combat the surge in antisemitism.
