Canada Failing Jewish Citizens as Antisemitism Surges, Says PM Carney

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that Canada is failing its Jewish citizens as antisemitism reaches levels unseen since the aftermath of World War II .

Speaking at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto on Monday, Carney said Jewish Canadians are facing an alarming rise in hate crimes despite representing only about one percent of the country's population. According to official figures, more than two-thirds of all religion-motivated hate crimes reported in Canada last year targeted Jewish people.

The prime minister cited a series of incidents, including shootings at Jewish schools, firebomb attacks on synagogues, assaults on community centres, and intimidation of Jewish students on university campuses . He described the situation as a serious national concern requiring urgent action.

Carney acknowledged that antisemitism has been increasing across Europe, Australia and the United States, but said Canada's crisis is particularly severe and demands a focused response . The rise in incidents has coincided with heightened global tensions following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 .

To address the issue, the Canadian government has allocated $75 million to strengthen security at faith-based institutions through infrastructure upgrades and additional security personnel. Carney also announced the creation of a Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion to examine the causes and impact of antisemitism and recommend measures related to education, prevention and community safety.

Emphasising that efforts to combat hate would not undermine freedom of expression, Carney said the goal is to ensure that no community is excluded from public life because of discrimination or fear .

Rising concerns over antisemitism are increasingly becoming a major political and social issue across several Western countries , prompting governments to adopt stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities and combat hate-driven violence.