In response to a concerning increase in antisemitic incidents, the Canadian government is hosting a National Forum on Combatting Antisemitism on March 6, 2025, in Ottawa. The forum aims to strengthen collaboration among federal, provincial, and municipal authorities, law enforcement agencies, and Jewish community leaders.
Announced on December 20, 2024, by the Department of Justice Canada, the forum underscores the urgent need for national leadership in addressing the growing public safety threat posed by antisemitism. The government recognizes the imperative to ensure that Jewish Canadians feel safe in their synagogues, schools, and communities.
The one-day, invitation-only event will bring together representatives from all three levels of government, law enforcement officials, and Jewish community organizations. Discussions will focus on enhancing coordination within the justice system and law enforcement to effectively combat antisemitism. Key topics include potential amendments to the Criminal Code, enforcement of existing hate crime laws, specialized training for police and prosecutors, and the implementation of protective measures around Jewish institutions.
Jewish advocacy groups, such as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), have been vocal in urging the government to take decisive action against the surge in antisemitic hate crimes. CIJA has proposed several measures, including the convening of a national forum, stricter enforcement of hate crime legislation, enhanced training for law enforcement, and improved community safety programs.
The announcement of the forum coincides with a series of antisemitic incidents, including repeated attacks on a Montreal synagogue and a Toronto school. These events have heightened concerns within the Jewish community and underscored the necessity for a coordinated national response to combat antisemitism.
The forum is part of a broader strategy by the Canadian government to address hate in all its forms. This includes investments in Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028 and the Action Plan on Combatting Hate. Additionally, the government has appointed Deborah Lyons as the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, who has been instrumental in launching educational resources like the Canadian Handbook on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
As the forum convenes, stakeholders anticipate the development of actionable strategies to protect Jewish Canadians and reinforce the nation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The outcomes of this forum are expected to set a precedent for addressing not only antisemitism but also other forms of hate and discrimination across Canada.