As the Ontario Legislature Resumes, CIJA Highlights Action Items

Toronto, Ontario – October 20, 2025 – As Members of Provincial Parliament return to Queen’s Park for the Fall session and at a time of continued, escalating antisemitism across the province, Josh Landau, Director, Government Relations, Ontario, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement: 

“One week ago, the remaining 20 living hostages were finally released from captivity and welcomed home to their loved ones in Israel. On the very same day, horrific antisemitic graffiti was discovered at Cedarvale Park. This disturbing incident is one of many in a troubling pattern of hateful acts occurring regularly across Ontario over the past two years. 

“Extremists have vandalized synagogues, targeted neighbourhoods and city streets with intimidating protests, fired shots at Jewish schools, attacked a Jewish individual simply shopping for groceries, shut down Pride parades, and created an environment where even simple activities – buying groceries, taking your kids to the park, or watching a movie – feel unsafe.  

“Schools have become places of intimidation and fear rather than education and dialogue, with an alarming increase in antisemitic incidents, discriminatory behaviour, and exclusion of Jewish and Israeli Canadian students. 

“At the start of the Fall legislative session, we urge the Government of Ontario to advance concrete actions to protect the Jewish community:  

• Implement a comprehensive provincial strategy to combat antisemitism across publicly funded schools and post-secondary institutions, safeguarding Jewish students’ rights and ensuring they can express their identities freely and without fear. 
• Expand and stabilize security infrastructure funding for Jewish community institutions, while strengthening coordination between law enforcement and Crown prosecutors to enhance accountability for hate-motivated crimes.
• Formally adopt and consistently apply the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism across all provincial ministries, agencies, and publicly funded bodies to strengthen accountability and policy alignment. 

“Jewish Ontarians continue to face an alarming rise in hate, and our elected representatives must move beyond statements of concerns and take concrete action. Every Party has a responsibility to stand up, speak out, and ensure Ontario remains a province where all communities can live without fear.”

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Additional Background 

• Statement: CIJA Responds to Attack at Grocery Store
• Statement: CIJA Responds to TIFF  
• Statement: CIJA Reacts to Divisive Motion at ETFO
• Statement: Antisemitism in Ontario Schools
• Statement: Desecration of Holocaust Memorial Ottawa