In a stark editorial, concerns are mounting over Canada's perceived paralysis in addressing terrorism and attempted terrorism, with critics arguing that governments at all levels are failing to protect citizens despite escalating threats. The piece highlights a series of alarming incidents that have unfolded since the onset of the war in Iran, painting a picture of a nation seemingly caught off guard.
Recent Attacks and Threats in Focus
On March 10, 2026, a shooting occurred at the U.S. consulate in Toronto, underscoring the immediate dangers. This event followed closely on the heels of other violent acts, including a barrage of 17 bullets fired at the Saliwan Boxing Club in Richmond Hill, owned by Salar Gholami, a noted Iranian human rights activist. The attack took place shortly after the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, which resulted from a U.S.-Israel strike on Iran.
Synagogues Targeted in Greater Toronto Area
Further exacerbating the situation, three synagogues in the Greater Toronto Area have been hit by gunfire since the war began. One incident occurred on March 2, with two more taking place overnight on March 6-7. While no fatalities have been reported in these cases, the violence has instilled fear within the Jewish community and raised questions about security preparedness.
Broader Security Concerns and Government Response
The editorial points to Iran as a primary source of global terrorism, with Canada's foreign interference inquiry last year identifying it as a significant security threat. The federal government acknowledges that Iran engages in transnational repression against Canadian citizens of Iranian origin. Additionally, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service has reported death threats against Canadians, including a failed assassination attempt on former justice minister Irwin Cotler, a Jewish human rights activist.
Despite these warnings, the editorial criticizes the government's sluggish response. It notes that amid reports of 600-700 agents of the Iranian regime residing in Canada, only one has been deported in the past two years. This inaction is contrasted with rising antisemitism and violence following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel by Iran-funded Hamas.
Political Platitudes and Judicial Leniency
Politicians are accused of offering mere platitudes against antisemitism, with few perpetrators facing criminal charges, and those who do often receiving lenient treatment in courts. The editorial uses the metaphor of a frog slowly boiling in water to describe Canada's obliviousness to escalating dangers, urging for more decisive action to safeguard national security and protect vulnerable communities.
