The Canadian government has announced a national forum to address the alarming rise in antisemitism across the country, scheduled for February 2025 in Ottawa. This decision comes amidst a wave of antisemitic incidents, including multiple shootings targeting a Jewish girls’ school in Toronto, highlighting the urgent need for national action to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities. The forum will bring together federal, provincial, and municipal leaders, law enforcement officials, and prosecutors to discuss strategies for combating this growing threat and fostering a more inclusive and secure environment for Jewish Canadians.
The urgency of this forum is underscored by a series of disturbing events, particularly the repeated targeting of the Bais Chaya Mushka Elementary School in Toronto. Three separate shooting incidents at the school in 2024, including one on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, have sent shockwaves through the community. While no injuries were reported in these incidents, the psychological impact and the sense of vulnerability they have created are undeniable. These incidents follow a pattern of escalating antisemitic activity observed throughout the country, including a shooting at a Jewish school in Montreal, an arson attack on a synagogue, and threatening emails sent to numerous Jewish institutions across Canada.
Beyond these specific incidents, a broader trend of increasing antisemitism has emerged in recent years. B’nai Brith Canada, a Jewish human rights organization, reported a staggering 109% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared to the previous year. Their audit, based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, documented 5,791 incidents, a stark indicator of the pervasive nature of this hatred. The audit also noted a significant surge in incidents following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza, suggesting a link between geopolitical events and the targeting of Jewish communities in Canada.
Intelligence reports further validate these concerns, warning of a “realistic possibility” of extremist attacks targeting Canada’s Jewish community. These assessments, obtained by Global News, underscore the seriousness of the threat and the need for proactive measures to prevent violence. The convergence of these factors – the repeated targeting of Jewish institutions, the dramatic increase in reported antisemitic incidents, and the intelligence warnings of potential extremist attacks – paints a deeply worrying picture and necessitates a comprehensive national response. The planned forum is a crucial step in addressing this complex and multifaceted challenge.
The forum’s objectives include fostering dialogue and collaboration among various stakeholders, developing concrete strategies to combat antisemitism, and ensuring that Jewish Canadians feel safe and protected in their communities. The participation of representatives from different levels of government, law enforcement, and the justice system signifies a commitment to a coordinated and comprehensive approach to tackling this issue. The forum will provide a platform for sharing best practices, identifying gaps in existing policies and programs, and developing effective measures to prevent and address antisemitic acts. This includes examining the role of education, law enforcement training, and community outreach in combating hate crimes and promoting tolerance.
The Canadian government’s commitment to combating antisemitism is crucial in upholding the country’s values of diversity, inclusion, and respect for human rights. The planned national forum represents a significant step towards addressing the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents and ensuring the safety and security of Jewish communities. By bringing together key stakeholders and fostering a national conversation, the forum aims to create a more inclusive and secure environment for all Canadians. The success of this initiative will depend on the sustained commitment and collaboration of all participants, and the implementation of concrete and effective policies and programs to combat antisemitism and promote tolerance. The forum serves as a starting point for a long-term national effort to address a deeply concerning societal issue.
