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Antisemitism in Canada has surged alarmingly in the wake of the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, reaching unprecedented levels last year. This troubling trend has captured the attention of the Jewish community as the country prepares for the federal election on April 28.
Recently, Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party and a key contender against Prime Minister Mark Carney, criticized pro-Hamas protesters, labeling their demonstrations as hate-filled marches. He went as far as to promise the deportation of foreigners involved in antisemitic actions.
Poilievre remarked that the chaos unfolding in Canadian streets—with hate crimes directed at synagogues and Jewish schools—is unprecedented. He stated, “These incidents were unthinkable just a decade ago.”
Additionally, Poilievre issued a stern warning for foreign dissenters, declaring, “Anyone who is in Canada on a visitor visa and breaks our laws will face deportation.”
In addressing the Jewish community, Poilievre emphasized solidarity, stating: “To the Jewish people of Canada, you are not isolated; you have allies. Canadians stand united with you. You hold the right to display your Star of David, wear your kippah, and display mezuzahs. You should take pride in your Jewish identity without fear.”
On social media platform X, Poilievre shared a video featuring the Montreal Jewish Community Council’s executive director, Rabbi Saul Emanuel, urging Jewish voters to support him. Emanuel emphasized that their collective support for political allies who stand with them during critical times can lead to meaningful change.
The influence of Jewish voters could be particularly significant in as many as 14 electoral districts across Canada, with Emanuel asserting, “Our vote counts. Our voices matter. This is why I proudly endorse Pierre Poilievre, and I encourage others to do the same.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Carney has also taken to social media to denounce rising antisemitism. He recently tweeted his wishes for Jewish Canadians celebrating Passover, underscoring the need to confront the escalating incidents of antisemitism that threaten Jewish life across Canada.
Despite Carney’s strong rhetoric, he has faced backlash, particularly after an incident during a campaign rally in Calgary. When an attendee yelled, “There’s a genocide happening in Palestine,” Carney responded, “I’m aware. That’s why we have an arms embargo on Israel.”
His comments prompted criticism, leading to Carney claiming that he had misunderstood the demonstrator’s statements the following day.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly entered the discourse, advising Carney that Canada has historically supported civilized nations. He expressed discontent with Carney’s approach, stating, “Instead of backing Israel, a democracy that is combating Hamas, he attacks the only Jewish state.”
A recent audit by B’nai Brith Canada revealed a staggering total of 6,219 antisemitic incidents reported in the country during 2024 alone, indicating a 7.4% rise from 2023 and the highest figures documented since the report’s inception in 1982.
More concerning is the 124.6% increase in antisemitic incidents since 2022, reflecting a disturbing normalization of hate.
Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy at B’nai Brith Canada, stated that the last 18 months have established a new baseline of antisemitism in the country, negatively impacting the lives of Jewish people. He specifically noted a rise in anti-Zionist sentiment.
Irwin Cotler, a former justice minister, outlined the mainstream acceptance of antisemitism across various sectors of society, asserting that it has become normalized within political, cultural, and academic arenas. He expressed hope that whichever party wins the election would take decisive actions against hate crimes and speech, expressing concern that current statistics may be underreported.
“The community of democracies must unite,” Cotler warned, “because our collective freedom is at risk.”
Israeli Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, shared that many local Jews feel a sense of vulnerability and insecurity, often feeling abandoned by law enforcement and political leaders as antisemitism continues to escalate. He stressed that Israel, as the Jewish people’s homeland, has a responsibility to aid Jewish communities facing distress globally.
Moed emphasized the importance of educating teachers about antisemitism and the Holocaust to equip future generations with the understanding needed to combat hatred proactively.
The antisemitism survey documented numerous distressing incidents, including a cartoon in a Quebec daily depicting Netanyahu as Nosferatu—a character historically linked to antisemitism—and an alarming incident in which a pro-Hamas protester at the University of Toronto aggressively confronted a Jewish student.
In May, an arsonist set fire at the Schara Tzedeck Synagogue in Vancouver, and in a separate incident, shots were fired at the Bais Chaya Mushka girls’ school in Toronto, marking a distressing pattern of violence targeting Jewish institutions.
Later, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on the Canadian government to take prompt actions to eradicate antisemitism. He stated, “The world must awaken. Words will not suffice. Synagogues are burning, Jews are being attacked. The phrase ‘never again’ must resonate now.”
Anthony Housefather, the MP for Mount Royal—a constituency with a considerable Jewish demographic—emphasized during a conversation that the eruption of antisemitic incidents necessitates collaborative efforts from all government levels. He urged the implementation of recommendations from a justice committee report presented last December, alongside commitments made during the national summit on antisemitism held in March.
Prime Minister Trudeau provoked criticism for inaction regarding rising antisemitism, having swiftly announced the summit in response to Herzog’s urgent plea.
On the other side, Neil Oberman, the Conservative candidate contesting Housefather, criticized the government’s perceived inefficiency, stating that issues surrounding personal safety within the Jewish community are escalating. He said, “We need a federal government composed of adults who implement concrete measures rather than merely organizing summits and issuing statements.”
The current landscape of rising antisemitism in Canada underscores the urgent need for political leaders to act decisively and for communities to stand together against hate.
