The federal government will hold a national forum on combating anti-Semitism in February. The news comes as police investigate a suspicious fire at a synagogue in Montreal and a shooting at a Jewish girls’ school in Toronto.
Newly appointed Minister of Official Languages Rachel Bendayan announced the forum shortly after taking the oath at Rideau Hall on Friday. She said: “We all know that crime, especially hate-motivated crime, is on the rise.”
The forum will be held in Ottawa, officials said. news release. It will be co-chaired by Justice Minister Arif Virani, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, and Deputy Public Safety Minister Bendayan.
“This forum reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to protecting all Canadians and combating hate in all its forms,” the news release said.
Toronto Police Hate Crimes Unit investigate gunshots fired This is the third time this year the event has been held at a Jewish girls’ elementary school. The latest shooting occurred just after 2:30 a.m. Friday, officers said.
Toronto police are investigating a separate incident in which shots were fired outside a Jewish girls’ elementary school in North York. Bais Chaya Mushka Girls’ Primary School has been the target of nighttime shootings twice in the past, in October and May. CBC’s Chris Glover has the latest updates.
Meanwhile, the Montreal police arson unit We are investigating the fire that occurred. Wednesday morning at the synagogue. Officers said they found an incendiary device and witnesses said they saw the suspect fleeing the scene.
in separate posts Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the two incidents on social media, saying: explained them “Anti-Semitic,” “vile,” and “hateful.”
“Law enforcement is conducting an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Prime Minister Trudeau said.
“There is no place for this type of behavior in Canada. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Jewish community,” McGuinty said at a press conference after being sworn in at Rideau Hall.
“This is a very serious issue for us and our government,” McGuinty said, adding that he would leave the press conference to receive briefings from senior officials, including on the incidents in Montreal, Toronto and elsewhere.
According to Statistics Canadapolice reported 900 hate crimes against Jews in 2023, more than hate crimes against other religious groups and a significant increase from 527 in 2022.
toronto police I said 56 percent. Hate crimes targeting Jews reported from early 2024 to mid-March.
Anti-Semitism in Canada is worse than in the US: Ambassador
Before the recent incidents in Toronto and Montreal, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen told CBC. the house “My impression is that anti-Semitism as a problem is more serious in Canada than in the United States,” he said.
In an interview broadcast Saturday, Mr. Cohen told host Katherine Cullen that Jewish community groups were “terrifying them — literally terrorizing them. They’re walking the streets.” He said he has heard “over and over again” that people are feeling scared.
“I don’t know how many people I’ve met in Canada who say they no longer wear Jewish stars in public for fear of being assaulted as a result,” he added.
Cohen said hearing such stories “breaks my heart…I hate it, because it’s not a Canada problem. It’s not an American problem. Hate will get us nowhere.” I’m not going,” he said.
But Mr. Cohen also said he was “uplifted” by attending a law event with Mr. Virani organized by Muslim and Jewish law students.
“We talked to a diverse group of students who were Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, gay, lesbian. Just a diverse group of students who were getting along and trying to work together again,” he said. he said, adding that he had been invited back. Off to another event.
Cohen also plans to attend the event because he wants Canada to be remembered as a place where “the rejection of anti-Semitism is a core value of this country. And unfortunately, I don’t think that’s the case.” said.
He ended the interview by saying there is an “unacceptable” level of anti-Semitism in Canada that is inconsistent with Canadian values.
“And we need more aggressive action to confront anti-Semitism in all its ways and in all its forms,” Cohen said.
