Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto on Monday, denouncing the sharp rise in antisemitism and calling for a renewal of Canada's covenant. His repeated use of the word 'covenant' was a biblical reference to the Old Testament agreement between God and the Jewish people.
Carney's Message to the Jewish Community
Carney's words were not religious but aimed at assuring a community under attack. He invoked the prophets Isaiah and Amos, emphasizing the need for unity. 'Antisemites in Canada have fired bullets at Jewish schools. They have thrown firebombs at synagogues and attacked community centres,' Carney stated. He also highlighted attacks on Jewish-owned businesses, harassment of Jewish patients at hospitals, and the desecration of Holocaust memorials.
Rise in Antisemitic Incidents
Human rights group B'nai Brith Canada documented a dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents. In 2022, there were 2,769 incidents, but last year, the number surged to 6,800—a 145% increase, equating to more than 18 incidents per day. Statistics Canada reports that 70% of police-reported religious hate crimes target Jews, who make up just 1% of the population.
Criticism of Government Response
The federal Liberals have faced criticism for their weak response to hate marches and attacks on Jewish institutions under both Justin Trudeau and Carney. Carney acknowledged the pressure, stating, 'The crisis of antisemitism in Canada today is specific, severe, and demands a targeted response.' He announced the creation of a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion, chaired by Marc Miller.
Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, who represents the heavily Jewish riding of Thornhill, called Carney's speech 'too little, too late.' She argued that it should have been followed by concrete actions and consequences. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre blamed the Liberals' divisive policies for stoking antisemitism.
Carney's Call to Leave Foreign Hatred Behind
Carney urged Canadians not to import foreign hate and wars into the country. 'When you come to Canada, you bring your faith, your tradition, your language, your story. You leave behind your wars and your animosities,' he said. However, protests outside a Jewish seniors home in Toronto this weekend, featuring signs of Iran's ayatollahs and Palestinian flags, suggest this remains a challenge.
While Carney's speech was a step in the right direction, many within Canada's Jewish community remain divided on whether his government's actions match his words.
