Carney promises to combat antisemitism in Canada, citing surge in hate crimes

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to the Economic Club of New York in New York City, US, May 28, 2026. (Reuters)

• “The crisis of antisemitism in Canada today is specific, it’s severe, and it demands a targeted response,” Carney says

TORONTO: Canadian ‌Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Monday a new federal advisory council to combat antisemitism, warning that a surge in hate ​crimes means the country is failing to protect Jewish Canadians.
Speaking at a Toronto synagogue, Carney said antisemitism in Canada “has surged to levels not seen in the post-war period.”
Of 1,342 religion-based hate crimes reported in 2024, roughly 70 percent targeted the Jewish community, which makes up about 1 percent of Canada’s population, government data shows.
Carney unveiled the ‌Ministerial Advisory ‌Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion, ​tasked ‌with ⁠addressing antisemitism ​and other ⁠forms of hate. The council will be chaired by Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller.
“The crisis of antisemitism in Canada today is specific, it’s severe, and it demands a targeted response,” Carney said.
Carney said he had directed the council to reassess the nature and drivers of ⁠antisemitism in Canada, improve data collection on ‌hate incidents and measure the ‌effectiveness of investments in education, prevention ​and community safety.
The surge ‌in antisemitic hate crimes in Canada has escalated sharply since ‌the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s ensuing war in Gaza.
In his speech on Monday, Carney cited bullets fired at Jewish schools, firebombs thrown at synagogues, ‌and attacks targeting Jewish-owned businesses and community centers.
Carney said his government has introduced six pieces ⁠of legislation ⁠aimed at improving public safety and combating hatred. Among them is a bill which would strengthen protections for places of worship, schools and community centers and make hate-motivated crime a specific offense. The bill passed the House of Commons in March 2026 and is now before the Senate.
The government committed C$75 million ($54.19 million) in April to improve security at religious institutions, including synagogues and Jewish day schools, Carney said. It also allocated more than ​C$36 million last year ​for projects aimed at countering violent extremism.