As Parliament Resumes, CIJA Urges Action on Rising Antisemitism

CIJA

|September 15, 2025

Ottawa, Ontario – September 15, 2025 – As Members of Parliament return to Ottawa for the Fall session at a time of escalating antisemitism across the country, Noah Shack, CEO, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued the following statement highlighting some of the Jewish community’s core priorities and recommendations:

“This past Sunday in Halifax, children arriving for Hebrew school were met with antisemitic graffiti spray-painted on the entrance of their synagogue. This disturbing incident is one of many in a troubling pattern of hateful acts occurring weekly, and at times even daily, across Canada over the past two years.

“Extremists have firebombed synagogues, fired shots at Jewish schools, shut down Pride parades, forced MPs to close constituency offices, and created an environment where even simple activities – buying groceries, taking your kids to the park, or cheering on Team Canada – are unsafe.

“We are alarmed that our community’s ability to be safe and fully included in Canadian society is at grave risk. The rise of vicious anti-Jewish hatred over the past two years is endangering our Jewish community every day and ultimately threatens the future of our Canadian way of life.

“Canada stands at a crossroads. Are we a nation governed by peace, order, and good government? Or will we allow fear and intimidation to dictate our future?

“At the start of the Fall parliamentary session, we turn to the Government of Canada to urgently advance seven concrete actions:

Boosting Community Security
We are seeking stronger partnerships with Jewish security organizations, and significant increases in community security funding in Budget 2025.
Protecting Jewish Participation in Civic Life
We are urging the government to move forward with nationwide safe access zones around places of worship, schools, and community centres. We are also looking to the government to make strong use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and reject “Anti-Palestinian Racism,” which is at odds with government policy and demonizes Jewish identity. The government must also use every lever to ensure Jewish Canadians are not driven out of civic life, as we’ve seen attempted most recently at Pride and TIFF.
Enforcing Existing Laws
We need leadership from all levels of government to back police in robustly enforcing the law. We are also seeking additional funding for specialized hate crime units, as well as federal measures to ensure police and prosecutors are both equipped and mandated to apply existing legal tools to protect our Jewish community.
Holding Criminals Accountable
As part of broader bail reform, we are advocating for the government to require the consideration of hate motivation during bail hearings and not just at sentencing. Currently, individuals charged with hate-motivated crimes may be released before the hate element is formally established.
Filling Gaps in Anti-Terror Legislation
We are calling for legislation to fill the gaps that enable terrorist groups, their state sponsors, and organized crime to radicalize and recruit Canadians. This should include measures to criminalize membership in Canadian-listed terrorist organizations, ban recruitment, and prohibit the glorification of terror and public display of terrorist symbols.
Holding Hamas and the Palestinian Authority Accountable
Recognizing Palestinian statehood is a dangerous and misguided policy that rewards terrorism and emboldens extremists. The Government must put pressure on Hamas and its state sponsors to return all Israeli hostages, disarm, and relinquish control in Gaza. Likewise, the Palestinian Authority must be held accountable, demonstrating measurable change on the ground to advance peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.
Strengthening Ties Between Israelis and Canadians
For nearly 80 years, Canadians and Israelis have maintained strong ties that benefit both people. These are grounded in agreements like the Canada–Israel Free Trade Agreement, which was Canada’s first trade agreement beyond North America. Preserving and expanding this relationship is vital to Canada's economy, cultural vitality, and leadership in innovation across science, medicine, security, and energy.