Prime Minister Mark Carney promised measures to counter the antisemitism that has been plaguing Canada, especially ever since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war.

The Prime Minister, speaking at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto June 1, said the Jewish community is being “particularly and brutally targeted.

“Across our country, antisemitism has surged to levels not seen in the post-war period,” he added. “Last year, over two-thirds of all religion-motivated hate crimes were directed at Jewish Canadians who make up only one per cent of the population.”

Carney recounted that antisemites in Canada “fired bullets at Jewish schools. They have thrown firebombs at synagogues. They’ve attacked community centres. They’ve targeted Jewish-owned businesses, harassed Jewish patients at hospitals, drove Jewish students from common spaces on our university campuses. They have desecrated our Holocaust memorials….The pain, the threats, the fears can appear relentless. The horror and shame are global. Our actions must be local.”

Carney said the admission has to be made that “Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians, and they extend to all Canadians, recognizing that if that covenant fails one of our communities, it fails us all.”

The Prime Minister said legislation has already been passed to improve public safety and fight antisemitism and other forms of hatred.

“We’re working with provinces, municipalities, and our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to coordinate protection.”

Carney announced to the gathering “the launch of Canada’s new ministerial advisory council on rights equality and inclusion, to be chaired by Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller.

“The council has a clear mission to combat racism and hate in all their forms and to guide the government of Canada as part of our efforts to build a fairer, more just, more inclusive society.”

Carney said the council ‘s first responsibility will be to address antisemitism in several ways:

• “Reassess the nature, scale, and drivers of antisemitism in Canada – across public institutions, workplaces, campuses, and online spaces.”

• “Develop a whole-of-government approach to antisemitism to ensure federal policies, workplaces, public safety programs, and community initiatives are aligned in protecting Jewish Canadians and confronting hate.”

• Improve research and the collection of data on hate incidents and build stronger data-sharing systems so all orders of government, schools, and police services are working from the same facts.”

• “Measure the impact of our efforts so that investments in education, prevention, training, and community safety are delivering real results and helping build a safer Canada for everyone.”

In reaction, federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre posted, “Liberal open borders brought it in. Liberal divide-and-conquer politics worsened it. Liberal soft-on-crime laws let it erupt.

“Vile antisemitism is here. Enforce our laws. Deport visiting terrorists. Protect our Jewish Canadians.”

Deputy Conservative leader Melissa Lantsman posted that the Prime Minister’s speech came “three years into a documented crisis, including full incitement of hatred against Canadians, weekly, in their own neighbourhoods. Terrorists free to roam in our country, funding antisemitism in our institutions. A complete failure to enforce the most basic laws against a lawless mob.

“And here are his ‘actions’: reviewing previous reviews. Studying studies. A new council, chaired by the government, tasked with assessing the government’s response to a crisis the government itself presided over, funded, and fuelled for years.”

Lantsman added that the Prime Minister’s admission that “Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians” is extraordinary.

“It should have been followed by concrete actions and concrete consequences for those doing the failing. Didn’t happen. Tonight, the Prime Minister showed you that he thinks you are stupid.” n