Irwin Cotler, the former special envoy appointed in 2020 by ex-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to address antisemitism, believes that the government has not fully grasped the severity of the current threat posed by antisemitism. Cotler emphasized the necessity of a unified action plan to combat this issue, stating that collective responsibility is paramount rather than working in isolation.
In a recent interview with CBC’s The House, Cotler expressed concerns following an incident where an alleged attacker drove a car into individuals outside a synagogue in northern England, subsequently leading to fatal stabbings. The British police later revealed that they may have unintentionally shot two victims, sparking an investigation by the police complaints watchdog.
Cotler highlighted that antisemitic hate crimes have a ripple effect globally, impacting Jewish communities from Manchester to Montreal. He warned that the surge in such attacks poses a threat not only to Jewish populations but also to democratic values.
Statistics Canada reported a significant increase in police-reported hate crimes against Jewish individuals in 2024, surpassing incidents targeting other religious groups. Cotler stressed the importance of implementing a coordinated strategy to address the escalating issue of antisemitism, emphasizing the need to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in Canada.
Moreover, Justice Minister Sean Fraser introduced new legislation aimed at combatting hate crimes, including provisions to criminalize the promotion of hatred against identifiable groups using hate- or terrorism-related symbols. The proposed Combatting Hate Act targets symbols associated with the Holocaust and designated terrorist entities, such as the swastika and Hamas flags. The bill also aims to address hate-motivated crimes and enhance protection for places of worship and sensitive institutions.
In response to the surge in antisemitism, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather and 31 colleagues released a statement condemning the rise of antisemitic incidents in Canada. They called for collective action from all levels of society to combat the normalization of antisemitism and stand against hate towards Jewish communities.
The MPs emphasized that combating hate is a shared responsibility involving government, law enforcement, educational institutions, and workplaces. Notable signatories of the statement included Minister Evan Solomon, Minister Julie Dabrusin, Minister Rebecca Alty, Secretary of State Anna Gainey, and parliamentary secretary Rachel Bendayan.
