The government must act now to stop the scourge of antisemitism

Ottawa, ON – November 25, 2024 – In response to Friday’s antisemitic riots in Montreal, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) held a press conference on Parliament Hill today, calling on the Canadian government to take immediate and coordinated action to address the alarming rise in antisemitism across the country.

CIJA outlined specific actions the federal government must take, including:

1. Convene a National Forum on Combating Hate Crimes, Terrorism, and Antisemitism, bringing together federal, provincial, and municipal leaders with law enforcement to coordinate efforts and ensure consistent application of anti-hate legislation.
2. Strengthen enforcement of Canada’s hate crime laws, ensuring charges are laid against those promoting violence or inciting hate against Jews, including for criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, and hate propaganda.
3. Enhance judicial and law enforcement training, modeled on past initiatives like Bill C-3 (An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code, which mandated enhanced training for judges on sexual assault), to equip officials with the tools to recognize and address antisemitism, while utilizing the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
4. Bolster community safety programs, by establishing dedicated liaisons within law enforcement, creating specialized hate crime units, and improving intelligence-sharing to address rising threats.
5. Address radicalization and extremism, including banning terrorist symbols and cracking down on those glorifying terrorism, which emboldens extremists and undermines Canadian security.

Richard Marceau, Vice President, External Affairs and General Counsel, CIJA, released the following statement:

“The violent and hateful rhetoric we saw in Montreal is a chilling symptom of an escalating crisis. Chants of ‘death to Jews,’ violent targeting of Jewish institutions, and the glorification of terrorist groups on Canadian streets represent a direct threat—not only to Canada’s Jewish community but also to the values that define our country. The time for talk is over. Canadian leaders must act decisively to combat this growing wave of hate.

“Since October 7, Canada’s Jewish community has faced an unprecedented surge in antisemitic violence. Jewish schools have been shot at, businesses vandalized, and synagogues forced to implement extraordinary security measures to protect worshippers. Flags of terrorist organizations, designated as such under Canadian law, are brandished on our streets. Public demonstrations have echoed chilling calls for the extermination of Jews, and injunctions have been needed just to safeguard Jewish attendees at public events. These scenes are not just disturbing—they are offensive and dangerous.

“What we saw in Amsterdam—Jews ambushed, attacked, thrown into pools, and run down by cars—should serve as a dire warning for Canada. If unchecked, the escalating violence and hate on our streets could lead to similar horrors here. It is time to act before it is too late.

“The foiled ISIS-linked terror plot in Ottawa and the attempted assassination of former Attorney General and Holocaust envoy Irwin Cotler should be stark warnings about the extent to which extremists have been emboldened. That such a heinous act could even be planned sends a chilling message. This growing radicalization demands a clear and coordinated response from all levels of government. Hate and terror have no place in Canada.

“This burden of leadership falls squarely on our governments. A National Forum on Combating Hate Crimes, Terrorism, and Antisemitism must be convened, bringing together federal, provincial, and municipal leaders with law enforcement and prosecution services. The forum must focus on combating antisemitic hate crimes, ensuring consistent application of laws, and improving coordination across jurisdictions.

“Canada has strong criminal legislation, but its application remains inconsistent. Beyond hate propaganda charges, options such as addressing criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, and anti-terrorism laws must be explored and enforced effectively. It is critical that these legal tools are applied uniformly across the country to prosecute those who perpetuate antisemitic hate.

“We must also address the rising radicalization in our society. This includes banning symbols of terror and cracking down on those who glorify violence and terrorism. We need strong signals from every level of leadership that these actions will have serious consequences.

“This is not just a Jewish issue; it is a Canadian issue. Antisemitism threatens the very fabric of our society. It undermines the freedoms and safety of all Canadians. To protect Jewish Canadians and uphold Canada’s values of inclusion and justice, we need action—not just words. The time to act is now.”

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Additional Background

• Statement: Jewish community victimized in 70% of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Canada
• Polling of Canadian Jews Commissioned by CIJA
  • Only 6% do not believe that the Government of Canada should strongly support its democratic ally Israel 
  • 42% believe that the Government of Canada is not supporting Israel strongly enough 
  • 82% believe that Canada is less safe for Jews than it was before Oct. 7 
  • 69% reported that the events in the Middle East have made them more likely to worry about their safety in Canada 
  • 80% are concerned about antisemitism in their communities 
  • 79% feel anxious about the large anti-Israel protests 
  • 36% have been targeted (themselves or a member of their family) by antisemitic remarks since October 7 
  • 31% have been (themselves or a member of their family) blamed for casualties in Gaza due to their religious identity 
  • 23% report that they or a member of their family have been alienated from friends or coworkers due to their religious identity 
  • 20% are more likely to hide their Jewishness now to avoid confrontation 
  • 75% think that local police should be doing more to combat antisemitism in Canada 
  • 85% think that the government should be doing more to combat antisemitism in Canada 
• Jews and Israel 2024: A Survey of Canadian Attitudes and Jewish Perceptions – Robert Brym (Canadian Jewish Studies / Études Juives Canadiennes, Volume 37, Spring / Printemps 2024) 
• Jews and Israel 2024 Survey: Ten Further Insights – Robert Brym (Canadian Jewish Studies / Études Juives
• Statement: CIJA Celebrates the Launch of the Canadian IHRA Handbook
  • The IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
    Full details and contemporary examples of antisemitism can be found here. 

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