Prime Minister Carney Meets with Jewish Community Leaders to Address Rise in Antisemitism

The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting Jewish Canadians and tackling hate crimes through new legislation.

Ottawa — Prime Minister Mark Carney convened a meeting this week with Jewish community leaders from across Canada to address the growing rise of antisemitism and strengthen federal measures to protect at-risk communities.

Leaders from Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal shared personal accounts and reports of harassment and violence targeting Jewish Canadians in schools, places of worship, and public spaces. Many expressed deep concern about safety in their neighbourhoods and the exclusion of Jewish participants from cultural and civic events.

I met with Jewish community leaders from across Canada yesterday to discuss the disturbing and intolerable rise of antisemitism. We discussed practical solutions to tackling this hate, including the government’s upcoming legislation that will protect the safety of religious and… pic.twitter.com/j9EwbjHgIB

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) September 16, 2025

Confronting Hate with Action

Prime Minister Carney condemned the “disturbing and intolerable” surge in antisemitic incidents, emphasizing that security and safety are fundamental human rights. According to federal data, nearly 70% of police-reported religious hate crimes in 2024 were directed toward Jewish communities.

Carney outlined new government measures to confront hate and enhance community safety, including:

• Introducing new federal legislation this fall to make it a criminal offence to intentionally obstruct access to places of worship, schools, and community centres.

• Allocating targeted funding to provinces to train law enforcement officers and Crown prosecutors to improve enforcement of hate crime laws and protect vulnerable groups.

“Canada is a country of acceptance and community. Jewish people must be able to live their lives openly, freely, and safely,” the Prime Minister affirmed during the meeting.

Ongoing Engagement

The Prime Minister and Jewish community leaders agreed to continue meeting regularly to review progress and ensure ongoing collaboration in combating antisemitism and promoting inclusivity.

The government’s broader approach builds on ongoing work to safeguard religious institutions, reinforce hate crime legislation, and support education and awareness programs nationwide.

Follow GTA Today on social media for more local news and updates. #GTAToday